topic Re: Cecil's Cubs Thriving, 1 year after his death in Community Chat

Cecil's Cubs Thriving, 1 year after his death

KingstonsMom — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 14:24:58 GMT

Basking in the morning sun and enjoying an elevated view of the territory they control, these are the offspring of Cecil the Lion - an extraordinary picture of survival 'against the odds' - exactly a year after the iconic cat was shot and killed by an American trophy-hunter.

The sight of the seven maturing cats is one few conservationists would have predicted in the wake of Cecil’s slow, agonising death after being shot by dentist Walter Palmer’s bow and arrow.

The fact that Cecil’s offspring – five females and two males by three lioness mates – are not only alive, but are clearly thriving, has thrilled staff at Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park who feared they would be killed in the battle for control of the dead cat’s pride and territory.

Professional guide Lewis Mangaba who took the pictures, paid tribute to the three lionesses who survived against ‘all odds’ to successfully raise the 18 month-old youngsters alone.

These are not ordinary lions but the success story of three lionesses that have chosen the nomadic life in the vast Hwange National Park and survived all odds to save the life of seven youngsters after the untimely death of Cecil, knowing that the survival of the cubs is crucial for the future of their own kind,’ he wrote on his F acebook page.

Palmer, from Minnesota, paid £45,000 to hunt and shoot the majestic Cecil, easily recognisable by his black mane and Hwange's biggest tourist draw card. The 12 year-old cat wore a collar and was a key part of an expensive research project monitored by Oxford University.

The shamed dentist was forced into hiding for weeks after receiving death threats following his shooting of Cecil – exactly a year ago on Friday (1 July) - which prompted an international outcry.

Reports doubting the survival of Cecil’s young and his close ally Jericho – with whom he shared territory and two prides – have regularly emerged from Hwange, the largest reserve in Zimbabwe.

But these new pictures bring hope that the slaughtered cat’s offspring now have the strength and experience to survive without his protection.

Rest in peace, magnificent Cecil!

Re: Cecil's Cubs Thriving, 1 year after his death

PamelaSue72 — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 14:29:16 GMT

That brought a few tears. Aren't they just gorgeous?! Thank you for posting.

Re: Cecil's Cubs Thriving, 1 year after his death

nycgrl — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 14:32:37 GMT

Beautiful. I only hope the dentist who killed Cecil will have a miserable rest of his useless life.

Re: Cecil's Cubs Thriving, 1 year after his death

Deb0509 — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 14:37:57 GMT

Beautiful Cecil, still makes me cry. I, too, hope his killer comes to a fitting end.

Re: Cecil's Cubs Thriving, 1 year after his death

eddyandme — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 14:51:04 GMT

Guess I'm not the best person in this world, but I'm still hoping that that dentist gets "tortured" mentally, physically and financially until his demise, which should b celebrated to have such scum removed from this earth.

However, I am very pleased and grateful for the survival of his cubs.

Just a very sad and sickening situation.

Re: Cecil's Cubs Thriving, 1 year after his death

biancardi — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 15:15:04 GMT

thank you for the update! I was worried that his cubs might not survive, as when a new male takes over a pride, the previous offspring are killed.

I am really happy to see those beautiful lions and that a part of Cecil lives on.

Re: Cecil's Cubs Thriving, 1 year after his death

Piperdellilah — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 16:03:18 GMT

That is so great to hear! I have been thinking about that lately. I can't believe it has been a year since that horrible thing happened.

Re: Cecil's Cubs Thriving, 1 year after his death

ValuSkr — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 16:05:54 GMT

Wherever he is, Cecil must be very proud of his pride.

Re: Cecil's Cubs Thriving, 1 year after his death

nycgrl — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 16:41:52 GMT

@ValuSkr wrote:
Wherever he is, Cecil must be very proud of his pride.

And hopefully waiting for Dr. Palmer to have his day!

Re: Cecil's Cubs Thriving, 1 year after his death

PamelaSue72 — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 17:02:11 GMT

As I am!

Re: Cecil's Cubs Thriving, 1 year after his death

Noel7 — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 17:08:05 GMT

@KingstonsMom

THANK YOU so much for this wonderful update!

I still have my little Cecil lion by the computer.

Re: Cecil's Cubs Thriving, 1 year after his death

LilacTree — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 17:13:37 GMT

@IG@KingstonsMom

This story always makes me cry, whether it's sad or happy. I am so happy for these cubs and hope they will be protected throughout their lives.

Thanks for posting that glorious photo.

Re: Cecil's Cubs Thriving, 1 year after his death

chickenbutt — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 17:51:00 GMT

Noel7 wrote:
@IG

THANK YOU so much for this wonderful update!

I still have my little Cecil lion by the computer.

Thanks to you, Noel, I have my little Cecil who keeps me company every day!

Anyway, I hope there are no more 'tours' of these protected areas with people taking money to allow these neanderthals to kill more precious animals.

Re: Cecil's Cubs Thriving, 1 year after his death

Noel7 — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 17:55:29 GMT

@chickenbutt wrote:
@Noel7 wrote:
@KingstonsMom

THANK YOU so much for this wonderful update!

I still have my little Cecil lion by the computer.

Thanks to you, Noel, I have my little Cecil who keeps me company every day!

Anyway, I hope there are no more 'tours' of these protected areas with people taking money to allow these neanderthals to kill more precious animals.

****************************

Good morning, @chickenbutt I'm so glad his cubs survived.

YAY! for those single moms protecting them!

Re: Cecil's Cubs Thriving, 1 year after his death

Say Nay — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 20:11:12 GMT

Thanks for posting this!

I'm fortunate to see this tribute to Cecil because my stylist is just up the street. I'm reminded of how majestic nature's creatures are and how cruel humans can be.

Re: Cecil's Cubs Thriving, 1 year after his death

chickenbutt — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 20:13:11 GMT

Tam - Aww, how wonderful! And yes, cruel indeed.

I stole that pic to put with my other 'Cecil' pics. Thanks!

Re: Cecil's Cubs Thriving, 1 year after his death

butterfly123 — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 20:13:25 GMT

Thanks for sharing the photos. Great news that the lions survived.

I still miss Cecil!

Re: Cecil's Cubs Thriving, 1 year after his death

Say Nay — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 20:17:37 GMT

@biancardi wrote:
thank you for the update! I was worried that his cubs might not survive, as when a new male takes over a pride, the previous offspring are killed.

I am really happy to see those beautiful lions and that a part of Cecil lives on.

Excuse the momentary OT but I wanted to say it's good to see you back @biancardi

Re: Cecil's Cubs Thriving, 1 year after his death

Pandalady — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 20:21:39 GMT

@KingstonsMom Thank you for sharing the update. Those cubs are beautiful! @Noel7 I have my little Cecil where I can see him, too! @Say Nay Wow, what a tribute! Thank you for sharing! @butterfly123 I miss Cecil, too!

Re: Cecil's Cubs Thriving, 1 year after his death

Venezia — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 20:47:21 GMT

@KingstonsMom - Thank you so much for this update and the wonderful photo. Just last night I was thinking about this and wondering whether the cubs survived. There was so much about it in the news at the time, then (as these things do), it simply seemed to fall off the radar.

I still have the "20/20" documentary about Walter Palmer recorded and I haven't been able to bring myself to watch it because I know the rage I'll feel all over again towards him and others like him, who slaughter these magnificent animals for "pleasure". (How sick and twisted is that?)

It's uplifting to see those beautiful cubs growing to maturity. Thank goodness the mothers' instincts kicked in and kept them safe.

(ETA: BTW, I think Mr. Palmer should pay a return visit to these offspring of Cecil. I think he should be dropped off in the middle of them, with no weapon of any kind and no means of escape. JMO of what's "fair".)