American tourist Walter Palmer says he regrets shooting Zimbabwe's famous lion Cecil.
Self-study activity:
Watch the video and answer the questions below. The activity is suitable for Intermediate students.
1 What does the tourist who killed Cecil do?
2 How old was Cecil?
3 What weapon was used to kill the lion?
4 What piece of technological device did Cecil have on?
5 How much did the tourist pay to kill Cecil?
6 What is the market value for this lion?
7 What will happen to the two men arrested if they are found guilty?
8 Why does Zimbabwe issue hunting permits?
(1) A US dentist who killed a lion in Zimbabwe says he regrets shooting the well-known animal. In a written statement Walter Palmer insists that he thought he was on a legal hunt and that he deeply regrets his actions.
Cecil, the lion, known for his black mane, was about (2) 13 years old and a famous attraction for wildlife tourists in Zimbabwe. But earlier this month it’s understood that the cat was tempted outside a national park using bait and allegedly (3) shot with a bow and arrow, by Palmer.
Cecil was collared. You may want to know what that means. (4) Collared is an animal which is under surveillance and a GPS system which is being used for research for different things.
Wildlife officials accused Mr Palmer of killing Cecil, without a permit, after paying (5) $50,000 to two people who lured the beast to its death.
The person involved, or the offender, is a gentleman, was an American called Walter James Palmer. Walter James Palmer is the guy who came into the country around the beginning of this month of July and was enticed, [although] we're not quite sure yet, to harvest this particular lion. The proper market value for this lion, which is a big treasure, would be (6) around $100,000.
Police in Zimbabwe say two people have been arrested and that Mr Palmer may also face poaching charges. If convicted, the two men would be required to (7) pay $20,000 in compensation but the court may impose an additional jail term.
According to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority investigations show that the killing of Cecil was illegal because the land owner was not allocated a lion on his hunting quota for
2015.
Lions are not a protected species in Zimbabwe - the country issues annual permits allowing foreign hunters to kill wildlife like elephant, buffalo and lion, and say doing so allows it (8) to raise money for conservation.
