Community Corner
Cecil The Lion: Hoboken Resident Gets Massive Response To Online Petition
A Hoboken resident has garnered more than 1.3 million signatures asking for "full accountability and punishment" in Cecil's death.
A Hoboken resident is drumming up massive support for an online petition asking for “full accountability and punishment for all those involved” in the killing of an iconic lion in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park.
So far, more than 1.3 million people have signed their support of the Change.org petition started by Hoboken resident Cheryl Semcer.
Cecil the Lion was allegedly lured outside of a National Park in Zimbabwe in July, shot with an arrow, and tracked for 40 hours while injured before being shot, reports stated.
Find out what's happening in Hobokenfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The alleged hunter – a Minnesota dentist – is alleged to have paid about $55,000 for the privilege.
- See related article: U.S. Dentist Wanted For Death Of Cecil, Zimbabwe’s Most Famous Lion, On Pay-To-Kill Hunt
The resulting media furor and controversy over Cecil’s death inspired U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (NJ) to introduce a new bill which would extend the import and export protections for a species listed under the Endangered Species Act.
Find out what's happening in Hobokenfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- See related article: Killing of Cecil the Lion Inspires N.J. Lawmaker’s Bill
The online petition, which is directed to Dan Ashe, the director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, states:
“We need the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to release their final rule on the listing of the African lion under the Endangered Species Act to help prevent imports of trophy animals killed in outrageous circumstances.”
“We also need USFWS to look into violations of the Lacey Act,” the petition continues. “If there have been, Mr. Palmer and any accomplices must be held fully accountable.”
On Oct. 8, Semcer provided an update on the effort to garner a response from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:
“As you know, it’s been more than three months since Cecil the Lion was unjustly killed in Zimbabwe, and that means we’ve been waiting for justice for him (and other exotic wildlife animals) for a while now. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service knows about this petition, and it’s important that they know we still care about Cecil and will continue to care in the coming weeks and months.”
See the full petition online here.
Send Hoboken news tips and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
