Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
SOCIAL networking sites have this week been abuzz with posts about the killing of what international media has called Zimbabwe’s most famous lion, Cecil.

The big cat was slain by an American dentist Walter Palmer on July 1.

The dentist from Minnesota, who is an avid game hunter, is believed to have paid around $50,000 to kill the animal.

One of the pictures that have gone viral shows a box of Lion Matches, Lion Lager and Cecil the lion with the question “Which lion is the most famous?”

It suggests that the matches and the beer are more famous and familiar to Zimbabweans than Cecil.

Some witty people used different memes, showing animals which are normally prey for lions, celebrating the demise of Cecil.

One of the memes shows a pride of lions with the words “tirikuenda kunobata maoko kumba kwana Cecil” (we are going to pay condolences after Cecil’s death).

A meme showing two Zebra apparently laughing with the caption, USisili Ufile!? Lol, was also trending.

These memes are a reflection that Zimbabweans are not interested in wildlife as much as Westerners do.

The average Zimbabwean was unaware of Cecil’s existence, an illustrious and famous animal that was known the world over, until after he was killed.

The international media has gone to town in their coverage of the killing of the lion and even showed demonstrations that were staged denouncing the dentist behind the killing.

Some went as far as calling for the extradition of Palmer to be prosecuted in Zimbabwe after he had gone into hiding.

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) was quoted saying it was “deeply concerned” about the “tragic” death of Cecil the lion.

Director of the organisation, Dan Ashe said they will “go where facts lead”.

Palmer, in cahoots with Theodro Bronkhorst, a professional hunter who facilitated the animal’s slaughter, skinning and beheading did not have a permit to kill the lion.

Bronkhorst and his associates, among them local farmer Honest Ndlovu, tied a dead animal to their vehicle and scented an area about half a kilometre from the park to lure Cecil out of the game reserve.

Bronkhorst appeared before Hwange magistrate’s court on Wednesday charged with failing to prevent an illegal hunt. He is out on $1,000 bail.

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