A stronger ban on lion trade by CITES would have helped to lessen some of the threats lions face but it would have not have protected the animals from sport hunting.
The death of Cecil the lion helped shed light on broader issues in the lion hunting world.
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Botswanan communities, hunting operators and game farmers reacted badly to the country's hunting ban. This is because it generates income, particularly in poor rural areas.
Canned lion hunting is the focus of the 2015 film ‘Blood Lions’, which calls for the end of being ‘bred for the bullet’.
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Hunting is a major source of controversy on the African continent. Many nations have strict laws against hunting while others see it as an opportunity to make money.