A Murderer Back In Business: Bella Morris, 5th Period

Bella Morris
Countryman- 5th
September 7, 2015                          

                    In July of 2015 outbreak of anger arose after the brutal death of Cecil, the male South African Lion, (Panthera leo bleyenberghi). Oxford University was tracking the famous lion and was in the midst of a on going study. On July 1, 2015 Walter Palmer, your average looking middle aged white male dentist decided pay two hunters to murder Cecil so he can have the lions head. What really puts the cherry on top of this situation is the fact that Walter Palmer wanted this lion so much to hang on his man cave wall that he paid the grand price of 50,000 to have his head. Cecil's death drew international media attention and sparked outrage among animal conservationists, politicians, celebrities, as well as a strong negative response against Walter. After becoming famous for all the wrong reasons, Palmer went into hiding and shut down his dentist office for the time being.
                    After months of being silent, Palmer finally spoke up yesterday about returning to business. Palmer states that after being away from his business, they decided to open without him about a month ago, and he is finally ready to return to his practice. In his interview he states "I have a lot of staff members, and I'm a little heartbroken at the disruption in their lives, And I'm a health professional. I need to get back to my staff and my patients, and they want me back. That's why I'm back." Palmer has kept a very low profile the past couple of weeks along with denying that he has been in hiding, following up with a "I've been out in public seeing my family and friends, this has been especially hard on my wife and daughter.They've been threatened in the social media, and again ... I don't understand that level of humanity." How ironic.
                   It saddens me so much to know that this man isn't getting charged with absolutely anything. He's now returning to his normal everyday life while an innocent animal that was loved by thousands was brutally murdered for 40 hours straight. After the outbreak of the story, thousands donated money to the "Lion Conservation of the National Park," eventually raising almost one million dollars in memory of Cecil. Many proceeds have also gone to Oxford University. They have recently released a statement..."The sheer volume of donations the University has received from Oxonians and friends worldwide was unexpected and is deeply appreciated." As for Walter Palmer, well this isn't the first time Palmer has illegally killed an animal. Several years ago Palmer killed a black bear in Wisconsin, according to court documents. He pleaded guilty to making false statements knowingly to U.S Fish and Wildlife Service. He was sentenced to a one year probation and was ordered to pay a fine of three thousand dollars. Photographs have also been released of Walter holding a leopard and a rhino. I do understand the need for hunting but this completely different, and I believe that Walter Palmer should be charged for his actions, because some people just never learn.

Cecil the Lion.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/07/us/walter-palmer-dentist-cecil-lion-interview/index.html

Cecil the Lion.