The Dentist And The Lion

Close-up of a lion in Zimbabwe. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Right now, there are millions of people around the world--most of whose exposure to wild animals is limited to zoos, nature videos and displays in outdoor superstores--who would like to get their hands on a man who killed a protected research lion.  They'd like to strip off his clothes, drop him off somewhere in the African jungle and let him fend for himself in front of man-eating lions and tigers.

The person in question is someone we will call The Dentist (you probably know his name already, but we don't need to repeat it).  He is accused of spending $50,000 of his own money for the privilege of taking a bow and arrow to an apparently beloved lion named Cecil, who was lured outside his domain at a national park in Zimbabwe, killing him.

Once word got out, protesters and media trucks descended upon The Dentist's practice in the Minneapolis suburbs, forcing his patients to either cancel appointments or get their teeth cleaned elsewhere.  They also found out where The Dentist and his family lives (in the same city where this blog is based.  Gee, thanks.), which is why they're reportedly in hiding.  U.S. officials are currently investigating the matter, and Zimbabwe is asking for The Dentist's extradition so he could stand trial in that country.

Before we send The Dentist on his own personal (non-televised) episode of "Naked and Afraid", you should know that poaching is a real problem that's depleting endangered animals around the world.  It's tolerated in certain unscrupulous countries for the money that big game hunters like The Dentist provide, and for the valuable jewelry and cuisine that can be found in countries that haven't already banned them.

Big game hunting is quite the pastime among individuals like The Dentist with too much money and time on their hands.  Once upon a time, that type of hunter was celebrated.  When the European colonist, big businessmen or President Theodore Roosevelt came back from their African safaris, they usually showed off their kills or bragged about them to anyone who'll listen with awe.

Here in the age of social media and PETA, however, it is no longer a good idea to publish selfies of yourself with the magnificent beast you just shot on Facebook.  That would be stupid.

It's interesting that the furor over an unfortunate lion is dominating the news at a time when other forms of big game hunting--wars, terrorism, mass shootings, police and racial profiling, drone strikes, etc.--deserve more attention.  Then again, all we cared about at this time last year were those stupid  bucket challenges.

The Dentist, no matter how his fate shakes out, is a relic from a time gone by.  We no longer marvel at the giant stuffed animal that was once living and breathing, only to see it put on display in someone's private collection.   We do what we can to make sure that future generations will be able to enjoy lions, tigers, elephants and all the others in their natural habitat.  As Katy Perry might put it, you might still be able to hear them roar.