Cecil was significant to Zimbabwe's economy

The recent killing of Cecil the lion by an American dentist, Walter Palmer was not just a mere slaughtering of an animal but it was rather damaging of a natural resource that generated income which contributed to the country's economy.

Tourism, especially wildlife tourism is one of the largest business sectors in the global economy.
Wildlife tourism has become important to many economies around the world, with Zimbabwe included. Wildlife is a valuable natural resource that brings a wide range of benefits to the host communities.
The life span of lions in Zimbabwe is normally 20 years. Unfortunately Cecil was killed at the age of 13 years meaning that, besides this untimely death, he could have survived for the next seven or more years.  Those extra years that Cecil could have survived could have been seven years of generating funds meant for boosting the economy. 
One may wonder how Cecil generated significant revenue to our country's economy. Most tourists would agree with me that watching animals is an inspiring experience. Hence, tourists across the world perennially visit National parks in Zimbabwe, such as the Hwange National park, as a way of having fun. In other countries, citizens only know lions through seeing pictures of them in books or on television. However, most of these tourists would need and enjoy watching them live. 
In that way, the country would generate foreign currency from different tourists, globally, who would have visited the country to watch wildlife.
This alone depicts the real value that Cecil the lion had in Zimbabwe. During the 13 years of his life time, it is noted that Cecil generated about $10 million. It is through unfortunate incidents like the death of Cecil that causes a drop off in the number of tourists visiting Zimbabwe. 
In his speech at the Heroes Day commemorations, President Mugabe mentioned that Zimbabweans should preserve their natural resources to avoid future situations like this recent brutal murdering of Cecil. 
Tourism that normally incorporates environmental and cultural conservation objectives, with an emphasis on economic benefits to local communities, would appear to be ideal for sustainable development. 
It is also interesting that the Chinese government has realized the importance of wildlife in Zimbabwe, thereby donating $2.3 million worth of equipment towards the conservation of all Zimbabwe's wild life. The equipment will go a long way in helping to fight unlawful hunting by poachers. 
Besides poaching, it is also the responsibility of every Zimbabwean to make sure that wildlife and all forms of natural resources are well protected. Some people fail to appreciate the significance of wildlife as they move around causing veld fires and pollution such that affects the living conditions of all wildlife.
All citizens who cause problems which affect wildlife should be jailed for a very long time.
As Cecil the lion was a center of attraction for most tourists globally, it would be wiser for the responsible authorities to keep his head in remembrance of him at a National Museum so that tourists visiting Zimbabwe will to view the remains of this mhondoro of Zimbabwe. This will also be another way of generating revenue essential for economic development.
Kenya's economy has developed through wildlife conservation. It is noted that Modern wildlife conservation in Kenya dates back to 1898 when a law controlling hunting was first enacted after Kenya became a British protectorate.
In that manner Kenya's wildlife tourism has been described as a proverbial goose that lays the golden egg in their economy.  In that essence, reports have it that Kenya's Wildlife Service is a key player in that country's national economy; hence the same should be emulated for Zimbabwe's wildlife and natural resources.
-------------Peacemaker Zano can be contacted at peacemakerzano@gmail.com