Cecil The Lion Is Dead

Cecil the Lion, 13, was the oldest and grandest lion in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe.

Cecil was lured off the park then shot with an arrow by Minnesota dentist Walter Palmer who paid $55k for the 'privilege.'

The hapless beast was tracked for two days and finished off with a rifle. Palmer then cut off the head and skinned the animal leaving the headless carcass to rot in the sun.

Cecil's demise threatens his pride full of cubs since a new lion may kill them in his absence.  Two of Cecil's cubs were killed last week.