Remember Cecil, the African lion killed in 2015 by a Minnesota dentist?
We don't know if lions hold grudges, but we're tempted to say that Cecil's relatives in Africa may have long memories.
That was our first thought when we heard about what happened to a group of rhinoceros poachers who recently crept into a South African game reserve. The armed poachers apparently intended to kill rhinos and saw off their horns (worth about $9,000 a pound).
What happened looks a lot like sweet revenge. Officials found a skull and a "bit of pelvis." said the owner of the private game reserve. "Everything else was completely gone."
Three sets of shoes and gloves were found. "I think we had a stroke of luck here," he said. "The lions got to them before they got to the rhinos."
Veterinarians and conservation workers assessed six lions believed to be among the culprits. Conclusion: The lions' behavior was normal. Apparently, the animals react differently toward people in vehicles who come to gawk than they react to people on foot who come to make mischief.
Poachers who kill and mutilate for profit don't deserve much sympathy. Looks like they didn't get any from the lions.
Rest easy, Cecil.
Editorial on 07/12/2018