Justice waits as claws reach out for US lion-killer

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Justice waits as claws reach out for US lion-killer
The Nation

Global disdain over a big-game hunter's newest trophy from Zimbabwe goes unanswered

BANGKOK: -- Animal-lovers around the world have reacted angrily to the killing of a male lion named Cecil in Zimbabwe. The lion was killed by American dentist Walter Palmer, a "big game" trophy hunter who has since gained global notoriety for his action.

Zimbabwean authorities accuse him of illegal hunting and are seeking his extradition for prosecution, but American authorities have yet to respond. An online campaign calling on Washington to extradite the trophy hunter has gathered more than 140,000 signatures.

The group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) has called for Palmer to be charged, tried and, if found guilty, "preferably hanged", the Washington Post reports. Peta also says the United States must stop allowing the import of lion heads, tails and skins.

In response to the outcry, three US-based air carriers - Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines - have refused to transport lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros and buffalo hunting trophies. According to the International Fund for Animal Welfare, the big-cat trophies brought home by wealthy American hunters between 1999 and 2008 accounted for 64 per cent of all African lions killed for sport during that period.

Enthusiasts for big-game hunting cite the thrill of the kill and the pride of collecting "souvenirs" in the form of heads, pelts, tusks and the like.

Peta, however, calls hunting a "coward's pastime".

Hunting has traditionally been associated with virtues of courage and guile. Yet modern-day big-game hunters have high-powered weaponry and vehicles that distance them from the dangers faced by their predecessors a century ago. In addition, many among this wealthy clique seem to believe that respect for the law is a virtue that no longer applies once they venture beyond the borders of their own country. Rules to protect endangered species can be bent and broken by placing money in the pockets of the right foreign officials. And once safely home with their trophies, the hunters can rely on the fact that their own countries won't bow to demands from developing nations for their extradition.

Yet these same countries see no contradiction in pressing for the extradition from smaller nations of those suspected of committing crimes abroad. In one such case, the United States forced the Thai government to extradite Viktor Bout, a Russian accused of dealing in arms, after his arrest here in 2008.

When similar pressure is applied by smaller nations, Western powers have been far less willing to send back suspected felons. The explanation for turning down such requests is often that the alleged misdemeanour is not considered a crime in their country.

Smaller countries can of course attempt to use the same explanation in rejecting an extradition request from a recognised world power, but the latter will usually manage to enforce its will. In international politics, this bullying tactic used by powerful countries works all too often.

It will be interesting to see how Washington deals with the demands to extradite big-game hunter Palmer to face justice in Zimbabwe. US authorities have given no indication that they will grant the request from Zimbabwe. But perhaps they will be swayed by the growing online campaign and pressure from angry animal-lovers at home and overseas.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Justice-waits-as-claws-reach-out-for-US-lion-kille-30265999.html


-- The Nation 2015-08-06

[ukrules]

Not a chance he will be extradited.

[SpokaneAl]

Justice in Zimbabwe? Yeah, right.

[kbelyeu]

I with those with Peta would hang themselves.. bunch of <deleted>.

Kurt

[lap82]

Justice in Zimbabwe? Yeah, right.

Yes, the president is a good example of justice...

[Emster23]

My understanding is that he paid the $25k license fee to shoot lions that Zimbabwe collects, supposedly for wildlife conservation. If so, they don't have a leg to stand on. Seems his crime was getting it on Facebook....

Heard lion numbers have dropped from 65k in 80 to 25k today, due to poaching and habitat loss.

How about this suggestion? Dear world: stop having so many babies and stressing out ecosystems. Lighten load on limited resources.

[boomerangutang]

>>> Chinese craving for lion bones is #1 contributing factor to lions' demise.

>>> Most trophy hunters become conservationists in their old age. My question is: why don't they get wise when they're young, like the rest of us. Why does it have to happen after they've killed wild beasts.

>>> Most beasts killed for sport are vegetarians and most are from breeding farms.

>>> Cecil the Lion has become ww news because he's a big beautiful beast. Yet it's symptomatic of humans destroying wildlife all over the world. So, in a sense, it's good in that it's contributing to ww awareness of the importance of trying preserve what little is left of naturalness and wildlife - not just large awesome beasts, but all other wild species.

[F430murci]

Crazy Muslim Africans kidnap, rape and shoot a bunch of young school girls. No one really cares or signs any petitions calling for actions.

Crazy Muslim Africans shoot bus loads of people for being Christian. No online petitions or public out cray.

Some stupid white dude kills freakin lion and the Internet nutters go crazy.

I don't hunt, harm or kill animals, but come freakin on. The Internet is full of whackaMcDoodles that no one would formerly listen to it give the time of day in real life, but the Internet gives them a platform to do whackaMcDoodlledos do best, go whackaMcDoidledo.

Gotta love the Internet. Shrinking IQs daily and giving outliers a voice.

And what's up with Africa being so determined to track down a hunter, but does nothing to track down Boko Haram killers that slaughter entire villages if people.

Afreaka!

[F430murci]

>>> Chinese craving for lion bones is #1 contributing factor to lions' demise.

>>> Most trophy hunters become conservationists in their old age. My question is: why don't they get wise when they're young, like the rest of us. Why does it have to happen after they've killed wild beasts.

>>> Most beasts killed for sport are vegetarians and most are from breeding farms.

>>> Cecil the Lion has become ww news because he's a big beautiful beast. Yet it's symptomatic of humans destroying wildlife all over the world. So, in a sense, it's good in that it's contributing to ww awareness of the importance of trying preserve what little is left of naturalness and wildlife - not just large awesome beasts, but all other wild species.

Yeah, Chinese and SE Asian in general are the ones that kind of suck here. They pay money for elephant ivory, shark fins and etc. that leads to the hunting and slaughter of exotic and endangered animals, but nah . . . Lets just focus on some rich white butt head from the US that killed a lion rather than an entire culture responsible for perhaps millions of exotic animal deaths.

[OOLEEBER]

I hunt and take home trophies. My prey are beautiful birds. Yes the feathered ones. My weapon is my camera and the trophies I take home are in the form of photographs. We have to eat, sure. But killing for fun? W@NK3RS !!!

[Seastallion]

>>> Chinese craving for lion bones is #1 contributing factor to lions' demise.

snip

" the big-cat trophies brought home by wealthy American hunters between 1999 and 2008 accounted for 64 per cent of all African lions killed for sport "

So, are these wealthy Americans selling the bones to China. I think that's a deflection away from what is actually happening...shooting lions, often unsportingly, for mere sport.

[Oziex1]

Can't say I care for big game hunters much, but I care less for the corrupt individuals in Zimbabwe who assisted this guy to shoot Cecil.

With a crossbow!

[boomerangutang]

>>> Chinese craving for lion bones is #1 contributing factor to lions' demise.

snip

" the big-cat trophies brought home by wealthy American hunters between 1999 and 2008 accounted for 64 per cent of all African lions killed for sport "

So, are these wealthy Americans selling the bones to China. I think that's a deflection away from what is actually happening...shooting lions, often unsportingly, for mere sport.

the key to your quote is; "...killed for sport"

Chinese contribute to hundreds of more beasts killed - but it's not for sport, it's primarily for the wrong-headed idea that eating exotic beasts' bones (in tea or pills or...) will make a man's dick harder. There are hundreds of millions of dicks in China that can't rise to the occasion - that's a lot of hocus pocus powder needed. Not just lion bones, but any large cats, rhinos, bears, stag horns, shark fins, ....the list goes on.....

[lifeincnx]

I think a little Zimbabwe justice is just what the dentist ordered.

[MikeTexas]

Has anyone ever came up with a law that he actually violated? He bought a permit from the government, he hired liscensed guides, and he wasn't in a restricted area. So what exactly did he do to warrent this treatment?

[lifeincnx]

Has anyone ever came up with a law that he actually violated? He bought a permit from the government, he hired liscensed guides, and he wasn't in a restricted area. So what exactly did he do to warrent this treatment?

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/08/150803-lion-hunters-legal-extradition-cecil-walter-palmer-jan-seski/

[IAMHERE]

Has anyone ever came up with a law that he actually violated? He bought a permit from the government, he hired liscensed guides, and he wasn't in a restricted area. So what exactly did he do to warrent this treatment?

He published his ego on facebook is what he did to warrant the treatment. He would have been fine if he didn't want to brag about his accomplishment to the whole world via the internet. Stupid is as stupid does.

[MikeTexas]

Has anyone ever came up with a law that he actually violated? He bought a permit from the government, he hired liscensed guides, and he wasn't in a restricted area. So what exactly did he do to warrent this treatment?

He published his ego on facebook is what he did to warrant the treatment. He would have been fine if he didn't want to brag about his accomplishment to the whole world via the internet. Stupid is as stupid does.

That may well be but it still doesn't answer the question. What laws did he break? If everyone that posted something on FB to boost their ego were to be ostercized the web would be a lonely place.

[MikeTexas]

Has anyone ever came up with a law that he actually violated? He bought a permit from the government, he hired liscensed guides, and he wasn't in a restricted area. So what exactly did he do to warrent this treatment?

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/08/150803-lion-hunters-legal-extradition-cecil-walter-palmer-jan-seski/

Interesting (I guess) article, but it still doesn't say what law he broke.

[MikeTexas]

I think a little Zimbabwe justice is just what the dentist ordered.

What law did he break to warrent "Zimbabwe justice"?

[hugh2121]

Crazy Muslim Africans kidnap, rape and shoot a bunch of young school girls. No one really cares or signs any petitions calling for actions.

Crazy Muslim Africans shoot bus loads of people for being Christian. No online petitions or public out cray.

Some stupid white dude kills freakin lion and the Internet nutters go crazy.

I don't hunt, harm or kill animals, but come freakin on. The Internet is full of whackaMcDoodles that no one would formerly listen to it give the time of day in real life, but the Internet gives them a platform to do whackaMcDoodlledos do best, go whackaMcDoidledo.

Gotta love the Internet. Shrinking IQs daily and giving outliers a voice.

And what's up with Africa being so determined to track down a hunter, but does nothing to track down Boko Haram killers that slaughter entire villages if people.

Afreaka!

What language is this?

[hugh2121]

"Smaller countries can of course attempt to use the same explanation in rejecting an extradition request from a recognised world power, but the latter will usually manage to enforce its will. In international politics, this bullying tactic used by powerful countries works all too often."

I think this should read:

Smaller countries can of course attempt to use the same explanation in rejecting an extradition request from the recognised world power, but the latter will usually manage to enforce its will. In international politics, this bullying tactic used by a powerful country works all too often.

US have forced extradition from EU countries of people who broke no law in their home country but contravened US legislation in their home country.

[onionluke]

it has been suggested that he lured the lion out of a nature reserve where it is illegal to poach and once outside of the protected area he shot it with an arrow then tracked it in its dying hours, then eventually

shot it with a rifle to inished it off

[wabothai]

Has anyone ever came up with a law that he actually violated? He bought a permit from the government, he hired liscensed guides, and he wasn't in a restricted area. So what exactly did he do to warrent this treatment?

Paying 50.000 bucks to kill a lion does not sit well with most people. Does that answer your question?

[MikeTexas]

Has anyone ever came up with a law that he actually violated? He bought a permit from the government, he hired liscensed guides, and he wasn't in a restricted area. So what exactly did he do to warrent this treatment?

Paying 50.000 bucks to kill a lion does not sit well with most people. Does that answer your question?

No. Peoples opinion are not the law. And I personally doubt that "most people" care one way or another.

[Seastallion]

Has anyone ever came up with a law that he actually violated? He bought a permit from the government, he hired liscensed guides, and he wasn't in a restricted area. So what exactly did he do to warrent this treatment?

The allegation is that he lured the lion out of the restricted area.

[Just1Voice]

Has anyone ever came up with a law that he actually violated? He bought a permit from the government, he hired liscensed guides, and he wasn't in a restricted area. So what exactly did he do to warrent this treatment?

Paying 50.000 bucks to kill a lion does not sit well with most people. Does that answer your question?

No. Peoples opinion are not the law. And I personally doubt that "most people" care one way or another.

Ok, apparently you haven't been in on this since the start. He illegally lured the lion off the game preserve, with some local help, knowing he couldn't shoot it while it was on a protected game preserve. THAT is where he broke the law. Clear now?

[MikeTexas]

Has anyone ever came up with a law that he actually violated? He bought a permit from the government, he hired liscensed guides, and he wasn't in a restricted area. So what exactly did he do to warrent this treatment?

The allegation is that he lured the lion out of the restricted area.

The alegation was that the guides (that were liscensed by the government) lured the lion out.

[MikeTexas]

This is a little off topic, but I have to wonder why there isn't this kind of upheaval to Planned Parenthood selling body parts.

[MikeTexas]

Has anyone ever came up with a law that he actually violated? He bought a permit from the government, he hired liscensed guides, and he wasn't in a restricted area. So what exactly did he do to warrent this treatment?

Paying 50.000 bucks to kill a lion does not sit well with most people. Does that answer your question?

No. Peoples opinion are not the law. And I personally doubt that "most people" care one way or another.

Ok, apparently you haven't been in on this since the start. He illegally lured the lion off the game preserve, with some local help, knowing he couldn't shoot it while it was on a protected game preserve. THAT is where he broke the law. Clear now?

You mean the government liscensed guides lured the lion off the reservation. So shouldn't the government be responsable for issuing the liscenses to unqualified tour groups?