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February 20, 2026
Cecil: The Lion and the Dentist review
This documentary looks at the 2015 slaying of the majestic head of two lion prides in Zimbabwe, by a trophy-hunting American dentist. Sadly it raises more questions than it answers

TL;DR
- The documentary "Cecil: The Lion and the Dentist" focuses on the 2015 killing of Cecil, a famous lion in Zimbabwe, by American dentist Dr. Walter Palmer.
- The film attempts to explore the interdependence of native Zimbabweans, the hunting industry, and national parks, as well as the ethical considerations of trophy hunting.
- Cecil was part of an Oxford University study, and his killing occurred outside of any hunting quota, leading to widespread outrage.
- The documentary touches upon historical tribal displacement, the lack of transparency in hunting revenue distribution, and questions the necessity and ethics of hunting rare animals.
- The film is criticized for being fragmented, superficial, and for raising more questions than it answers.
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