The stance on trophy hunting 10 years on from Cecil's death

On 1 July 2015, Cecil the lion was shot and fatally wounded by an American trophy hunter who paid US$50,000 for the kill.

The 13-year-old lion was left to suffer for hours before he died, prompting global outrage, widespread media coverage and a surge of condemnation on social media.

Cecil's death became a turning point, galvanising international efforts to end trophy hunting and protect wild animals from exploitation.

Ten years on, new research from South Africa reveals that this momentum has only strengthened.

More than 85% of South Africans support a lion protection fee

A new study published in Biological Conservation shows that over 85% of local people in South Africa support the introduction of a lion protection fee, also known as a 'lion levy'.

This small conservation fee would be added to wildlife tourism activities to help fund lion protection, rather than the exploitation of lions through trophy hunting and captive breeding.

The strong backing from local communities follows on from our 2023 research, which found that more than 80% of international tourists would also support a lion protection fee during their travels.

Together, these findings send a powerful message: both local residents and global visitors want to see lions protected, not exploited for trophy hunting.

A lion levy could help end trophy hunting

The lion levy is a simple but transformative concept. It would ensure that wildlife tourism directly funds lion conservation and benefits the communities that live alongside lions.

Rather than communities continuing to rely on trophy hunting as a form of income, the lion levy presents an ethical and effective alternative - one that prioritises animal welfare, sustainable tourism, and community wellbeing.

While the full findings of our latest lion levy research will be published soon, early results indicate that this model could help dismantle the harmful industries that profit from wild animal suffering, including South Africa's controversial captive lion breeding industry.

Trophy hunting and lion farming are closely linked

In South Africa, trophy hunting is deeply connected to the commercial breeding of lions.

Captive-bred lions are often used in canned hunts, sold into the bone trade, or exploited in hands-on tourist activities such as cub petting.

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Some local communities have been economically tied to these practices, relying on income from tourists who pay to hunt or interact with wild animals.

By redirecting funds to in-situ conservation and responsible community development, the lion levy could help phase out the wider industry of captive lion exploitation.

Since Cecil's death, the tide has turned

Cecil's killing marked a turning point in public awareness. Since 2015, the ethical and economic legitimacy of trophy hunting has been increasingly called into question.

The global travel industry is now shifting towards responsible travel, eco-tourism and sustainable experiences. More and more, travellers are choosing compassion over killing.

This change reflects growing public demand for wildlife protection; a demand that can be met through mechanisms like the lion levy.

Honouring Cecil with lasting change

Cecil's death was not in vain. It ignited a global movement that continues to grow stronger ten years on.

People around the world are calling for real, lasting change - for a future where wild animals like Cecil are respected and protected in their natural habitats, not bred and killed for profit.

The lion levy is a bold step towards that future.

The research paper from Biological Conservation can be found here. The evidence is clear: local communities and global tourists are ready to pay for protection, not exploitation.