THE slaughtering of Cecil the famous Zimbabwean lion, mortally wounded by an American dentist with a bow and arrow and tracked down for 40 hours before he was finished off, rightfully caused a global outcry.
Calls for the extradition of the culprit and ban on hunting went up everywhere, supported by everybody from government officials, animal activist groups to tweeting Hollywood celebrities.
But this incident, where Cecil was lured out of the Hwange National Park, shocking and sick as it is, enjoys far more publicity, public outcry, outrage and formation of pressure groups than the cause of abused, raped and murdered children, also lured out with bait of money, sweets and lifts.
At the same time of the news breaking about Cecil’s demise, was the disappearance of three children from Kraaifontein, a hot spot for child abuse and disappearances.
Yet, hardly a brow was lifted and their names, although published, did not make any such headlines as the lion story did.
Our society has become so blunted by the horrific reports of crime and child victims, that we have become desensitised and callous about ‘another one’.
And this in a day and age where human trafficking is a far, far bigger danger for humanity than illegal hunting.
I am also heart sore about the death of a majestic animal, but it says something about the moral decay of society, that no one knows the name of the Kraaifontein three.
MANDY EVERSON
