Cecil the lion: Can any good come from his death?

A Bowen Island safari operator, who had numerous firsthand encounters with Cecil the lion, says she is devastated by the news of his killing, but hopeful the resulting outrage will help end trophy hunting.

"I've had a hard time talking about this and not losing it," said Carol Petersen choking back tears."I'm sad because I'm not going to see him again. I'm sad because I know him and he was a real character."

Petersen operates Nature Encounter Tours and has led 76 safaris in the past 25 years. She recallsseeingCecil two years ago while leading a tourin Zimbabwe. After hearing amale lion callearly one morning she scrambled out of bedto find him marking territory close by.

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"He was magnificent," saidPetersen." We were afforded these wonderful views and photographs."

Earlier this week came the newsthatCecil had beenkilled by Americantrophy hunter Walter Palmer. The 13-year-old lion waslured out ofthe protective boundaries of theHwange National Park at nightwith bait. Palmer thenshot him with a compound bow. The woundedlion had to betrackedfor another 40 hours before finally being killed.

Palmer, a dentist frm Minnesota, claimed he paid forandattained all the necessary permits to hunt lions in Zimbabwe.

Butbaiting and hunting in the dark is illegal.

Petersen thinks Palmerlikelygave hisguides extra moneyto break the rules.

"In my own personal opinion the guides were given bigger tips to do hunting at night. Hunting at night is poaching. You're shining a spotlight on the animal to blind them."

Zimbabwe outfitterTheo Bronkhorsthas beencharged with "failing to supervise, control and take reasonable steps to prevent an unlawful hunt", and is currently out on bail.

Palmer is not facing charges at this time, but has become the subject of widespreadrevulsion.

Petersen hopes the death ofCecil won't be in vain and that the falloutmight ultimately bring an end to trophy hunting.

"Maybe this is going to make people aware and make them stop hunting trophies,`she said. "Maybe this is going to make a difference."