Last month the world learned of the horrific and illegal slaughter of Cecil, the iconic male lion in Zimbabwe's Hwange National park by a dentist named Walter Palmer. The Zimbabwean government is currently seeking Palmer's extradition.
Now a company called Costumeish.com is capitalizing on this tragedy by selling a "Lion-Killer Dentist" Halloween costume, complete with blood splattered shirt/gloves and a cartoonish severed lion's head. As if this isn't unethical enough, the owner of the company, Jonathan Weeks, claims on their website that 15% of the proceeds from this costume are going to the African Wildlife Foundation. However, the organization has confirmed that they have no connection to Mr. Weeks and have not been contacted by him.
In a recorded conversation with Mr. Weeks, he said he would pull the costume if a petition got 25,000 signatures. It's unclear if he will keep his promise, but we're determined to try. In addition please go to Costumeish's Facebook page, Twitter Page, or call their company directly at 1-800-979-3156 to express your disgust and outrage at their vulgar, opportunistic, and unethical actions. Thank you!
Doreen Harley and Brandon Griggs
