Justice waits as claws reach out for US lion-killer

Animal-lovers around the world have reacted angrily to the killing of a male lion named Cecil in Zimbabwe. The lion was killed by American dentist Walter Palmer, a “big game” trophy hunter who has since gained global notoriety for his action.

Zimbabwean authorities accuse him of illegal hunting and are seeking his extradition for prosecution, but American authorities have yet to respond. An online campaign calling on Washington to extradite the trophy hunter has gathered more than 140,000 signatures.

The group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) has called for Palmer to be charged, tried and, if found guilty, “preferably hanged”, the Washington Post reports. Peta also says the United States must stop allowing the import of lion heads, tails and skins.

In response to the outcry, three US-based air carriers – Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines – have refused to transport lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros and buffalo hunting trophies. According to the International Fund for Animal Welfare, the big-cat trophies brought home by wealthy American hunters between 1999 and 2008 accounted for 64 per cent of all African lions killed for sport during that period.

Enthusiasts for big-game hunting cite the thrill of the kill and the pride of collecting “souvenirs” in the form of heads, pelts, tusks and the like. 

Peta, however, calls hunting a “coward’s pastime”.

Hunting has traditionally been associated with virtues of courage and guile. Yet modern-day big-game hunters have high-powered weaponry and vehicles that distance them from the dangers faced by their predecessors a century ago. In addition, many among this wealthy clique seem to believe that respect for the law is a virtue that no longer applies once they venture beyond the borders of their own country. Rules to protect endangered species can be bent and broken by placing money in the pockets of the right foreign officials. And once safely home with their trophies, the hunters can rely on the fact that their own countries won’t bow to demands from developing nations for their extradition.

Yet these same countries see no contradiction in pressing for the extradition from smaller nations of those suspected of committing crimes abroad. In one such case, the United States forced the Thai government to extradite Viktor Bout, a Russian accused of dealing in arms, after his arrest here in 2008.

When similar pressure is applied by smaller nations, Western powers have been far less willing to send back suspected felons. The explanation for turning down such requests is often that the alleged misdemeanour is not considered a crime in their country.

Smaller countries can of course attempt to use the same explanation in rejecting an extradition request from a recognised world power, but the latter will usually manage to enforce its will. In international politics, this bullying tactic used by powerful countries works all too often.

It will be interesting to see how Washington deals with the demands to extradite big-game hunter Palmer to face justice in Zimbabwe. US authorities have given no indication that they will grant the request from Zimbabwe. But perhaps they will be swayed by the growing online campaign and pressure from angry animal-lovers at home and overseas.