Cecil - one year on

Its a year since we all read the story of Cecil a magnificent 13 year old lion killed in Zimbabwe by the now infamous American dentist Palmer. The world was outraged at the cowardice and sheer brutality of such a  senseless act of cruelty towards this lion who was collared and had been part of a study by a British team of biologists. The world should be outraged by trophy hunters like Palmer with no remorse for what they do and the damage they do by killing these animals that are so much a part of the survival of a species. What has changed since Cecil prompted us to take to social media and express out disgust and horror ? It seems a lot but is it enough. If nothing else Cecil's death shone a very bright light on trophy hunters and the fact that they have largely been able to just go anywhere and kill anything they want if they have enough money. Since Cecil died airlines have changed their policies about carrying trophy hunted animals, certain countries have banned the importation of trophy hunted animals and body parts. America declared it law that lions be given the status of endangered which is a terribly important move to protect them but how much has really changed in Africa ? We can take heart that the legacy of Cecil lives on in his offspring, many cubs thriving and healthy that are his progeny and may they live on as symbols of a species whose magnificence is undeniable, their place in the world undisputed. Africa will not be Africa without them.