Readers React: Hunter’s regret for killing Cecil doesn’t protect lions

To the editor: So the human called Theo Bronkhorst says, “I regret shooting a lion called Cecil.” He also says, “I didn’t know he existed.” (“Zimbabwe hunter: ‘I regret shooting a lion named Cecil,’” Aug. 6)

How did he not know he existed? He watched a human called Walter Palmer shoot an arrow into this beautiful being, then track him down for 40 excruciating and barbaric hours before shooting, decapitating then skinning this lion called Cecil. All in the name of sport. All in the name of fun.

Then the man representing killing for profit goes on to say that game hunting is an integral part of our country and it’s got to continue, and that if we do not use wildlife sustainably, there will be no wildlife.

First off, he insults Zimbabwe by implying that the country can’t thrive without killing off its native populations. Secondly, just because you utter nonsense doesn’t make it true. There were those who believed that slavery was integral, or that women were inferior, or that the world was flat.

These statements don’t reflect any truth. They just reflect a thought process based on ignorance.

Tim Viselli, La Cañada Flintridge

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To the editor: Unbelievably, there is more to the story of Palmer and Cecil the lion. After Cecil roamed 40 hours with an arrow in his body, Palmer shot him with a gun.

Then he asked if he could kill an elephant, but his hunting guides couldn’t find one large enough for his taste. Has he not read about elephants’ intelligence, their ability to mourn, to form friendships with humans or that elephants are an endangered species now?

The article ends with a statistic: About 15,000 Americans visit Africa each year to kill monkeys, giraffes, hippos, rhinos, lions, leopards and buffaloes.

Who are these people? Where is the motivation to torture and kill innocent animals to decorate their homes? I thought we had come out of the Dark Ages, but we are not there yet. And there is a hunting lobby.

Diane Stanfield, Santa Monica

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To the editor: Let’s shoot all wildlife animals — with a camera.

Jacqueline Borja, San Gabriel

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