Cecil the lion rests in Hwange National Park, in Hwange, Zimbabwe prior to being killed by an American traveler. Sen. Menendez intros CECIL Act to restrict big-game hunting

Sen. Bob Menendez has introduced legislation to curb trophy hunting of endangered and threatened species after the demise of Cecil, an African lion whose death at the hands of an American hunter touched off a social media firestorm.

The Conserving Ecosystems by Ceasing the Importation of Large Animal Trophies Act would extend restrictions on the import and export of animals that are being considered for inclusion under the Endangered Species Act. Currently, the restrictions apply only to animals already on the list.


The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had suggested the African lion be listed as “threatened” in October, but has yet to confirm the listing.

“Let’s not be cowardly lions when it comes to trophy killings,” said Menendez, a new Jersey Democrat. “Cecil’s death was a preventable tragedy that highlights the need to extend the protections of the Endangered Species Act. When we have enough concern about the future of a species to propose it for listing, we should not be killing it for sport.”

Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) have all signed on as co-sponsors of the legislation.

Cecil, a male African lion who was well known around Zimbabwe for a friendly demeanor and participation in a study that tracked his movements by GPS, was killed by a Minnesota dentist earlier this month. Zimbabwe’s government has reportedly requested the extradition of Cecil’s alleged killer, Walter Palmer, who had plead guilty to a felony charge in the U.S. for shooting a black bear in Wisconsin in 2006.