WOW! hi everyone, its nyasha from zimbabwe, with yet another thought provoking report. It has been 2 years since Cecil the lion's death took the world by storm, and as we take time to focus on endangered species, no discussion is complete without mentioning Cecil.

For those unfamiliar with Cecil the lion, allow me to enlighten you. In 2015, at a local national park in Zimbabwe( Hwange National Park), a hunting tourist, shot one of the park's most famous lions at one of Cecil's most preferred hangout spots. Almost instantly, the news of his death became global, and the international uproar that followed brought with it an unexpected turn of the times. As a frequenter of Hwange National Park, I was quite familiar with Cecil, and in some ways, he was a part of the natural ecosystem that existed at the park. His MURDER, yes I say murder, was cruel, although considered a beginning rather than an end.

Firstly, nations worldwide, including australia and france, altered their hunting laws. to be more strict, and in some instances out right banning the hunting of lions in national parks. With cecil's murder having occured through a very legal means in Zimbabwe and a payment of 54000 USD being involved, change in national laws is essential in order to protect glorious species, such as , Cecil.  In order to combat these challenges further, over 40 airlines also banned the transportation from the big five african species, which includes lions. But most importantly, globally Cecil, a lion from a small park in Africa, was able to bring the discussion of endangered species in Africa to a greater fore front. Google cecil the lion if you are in doubt. Cecil to most zimbabweans, is more than just a lion, he is part of the zimbabwean narrative,he embodies us and we embody him.

So what does the greatest lion to ever live, Cecil, have to do with a tunza eco generation ambassador : EVERYTHING!

Complied by Nyasha