Cecil was a 13 year old lion killed by an American trophy hunter with the help of some locals in Zimbabwe. The key American suspect, Walter James Palmer, reportedly has a history of illegal hunting activity. Please sign my petition asking for full accountability and punishment for all those involved in Cecil’s death.

I've been to Africa to volunteer with these amazing, social and family oriented animals and it worries me that they might disappear in my lifetime. We've lost more than 80-90% of the world's lion population in recent decades due to massive habitat loss, disease, trophy hunters and the exotic animal trade. Most lions killed as trophies end up in the United States.

We need to work together to take a few steps:

1) We need the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to release their final rule on the listing of the African lion under the Endangered Species Act to help prevent imports of trophy animals killed in outrageous circumstances.

2) We also need USFWS to look into violations of the Lacey Act. If there have been, Mr. Palmer and any accomplices must be held fully accountable.

3) Officials in Zimbabwe already arrested two Zimbabweans. Public pressure must continue so they are held accountable as well as any business they were connected to -- these bloody and violent trophy hunting businesses cannot get away with this cruelty.

Trophy hunting is shameful but has big money behind it. Reports say Cecil was lured off Hwange National Park, baited with an animal carcass, shot with a bow and arrow, and then tracked for nearly two days before finally being killed with a gun. The killers also tried to destroy the GPS tag on Cecil which was another sign they were doing something especially immoral.

Please sign my petition to support justice for Cecil.

I’ll be certain to update you on this gruesome case specifically and additional actions you can take to help lions and other animals from being poached. Thank you.

#JusticeForCecil