The death of Cecil the lion, one of Zimbabwe's most famous big cats, was a huge loss for wildlife preservationists everywhere. Walter Palmer, an American dentist, allegedly paid $55,000 to kill the 13-year-old male lion, who was living at the protected Hwange National Park. According to the Telegraph, the collar-clad lion may have been lured away from the safety of the park. He was reportedly shot with a bow and arrow, and the next day, the wounded big cat was killed, beheaded, and skinned.
As hard as that is to read, it's even harder to imagine making light of the situation with a Halloween costume. Unfortunately, Pretty Little Liars star Ashley Benson decided to dress as the beloved lion and cause an online uproar in 2015.
Benson posted a snap of herself in the gold costume by Yandy. According to E! News, she wrote, "Help! Can't decide on my Halloween costume this year! What do you guys think of this Cecil the Lion costume?" Users were quick to slam the star for the insensitive get-up. She reportedly edited "Cecil" out of the caption.
Benson later apologized. "Yesterday's post was in poor taste and I absolutely regret all of the hurt that photo caused... " she wrote (via Page Six), partly blaming her management for allegedly posting the "incorrect caption." Benson also vowed to make a donation to the World Wildlife Fund.
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