Cecil the Lion raises $1.2 million for Oxford University

Cecil the Lion, which was killed by American dentist Walter Palmer has raised more than $1million for Oxford University Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU).

WildCRU was tracking Cecil when the lion was killed in July just outside Hwange National Park from which it had been lured.

The killing of the lion sparked world-wide outrage, especially in the United States, but most Zimbabweans were surprised at why so much attention was being paid to a lion instead of starving people.

The publicity has worked to Oxford University’s advantage. Some 13 225 people are reported to have donated £784 329 ($1.2 million) to WildCRU.

The killing of Cecil is also reported to have put pressure on United States President Barack Obama to pass a law placing lions under the Endangered Species Act, which practically bans the importation of trophies into the country.

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