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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnew...inues.html

Importing lion trophies to the US could be outlawed as Cecil backlash continues
Bill passed by US House of Representatives would see wildlife poachers facing similar penalties to drugs and arms traffickers

*This image is copyright of its original author

Cecil the Lion Photo: Wildlife Conservation Research Unit

 Dog loses paws but learns to enjoy life

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By David Millward, US Correspondent
11:47PM GMT 03 Nov 2015


Big game hunters face a ban on importing trophies into the US as American politicians back a bill designed to prevent another lion suffering the same fate as Cecil.
The measure, which has been passed by the US House of Representatives, which requires the backing of the Senate, would also impose similar penalties on wildlife traffickers to those meted out to illegal arms and drug dealers.
Even its title, The Conserving Ecosystems by Ceasing the Importation of Large (CECIL) Animal Trophies Act, was inspired by the much-loved lion killed in Zimbabwe in July by Walter Palmer, a Minnesota dentist, whose identity was exclusively disclosed by the Telegraph.
A bill, which had bipartisan support, was introduced in August by Sen. Bob Menendez, a Democratic congressman from New Jersey.

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In addition to banning the import of lion trophies and imposing tougher penalties on traffickers, the measure is also intended to enable action to be taken against countries which fail to tackle big game poaching within their own boundaries.

*This image is copyright of its original author

Walter Palmer, a dentist from Minneapolis, Minnesota, who admitted shooting and killing Cecil the Lion in Zimbabwe  Photo: Tim Stewart News Limited
Mr Palmer went into hiding for several weeks following the global outcry at Cecil’s death. His dental surgery on the outskirts of Minnesota faced several days of demonstrations.
Mr Palmer, in his one interview, insisted he had the correct permits and last week Zimbabwe announced he would not be prosecuted for the lion’s death.

The killing of Cecil has also been the subject of an investigation by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Department of Justice.

They were examining whether Cecil’s death contravened the Lacey Act, which enforces legal protection for endangered species outside the US. Reply