WASHINGTON 鈥 Late-night comedian, Jimmy Kimmel didn鈥檛 find much to laugh about with the story on in Zimbabwe, and he used his show as a platform to help the researchers who had been tracking the animal.
In a monologue on , the host took aim at the American dentist who killed the lion that was a local favorite.
鈥淲hy are you shooting a lion in the first place? I鈥檓 honestly curious to know why a human being would be compelled to do that,鈥 Kimmel questioned.
He added that he is not against hunting, but against big-game hunters who he says likely聽enjoy the thrill for the wrong reasons.
鈥淗e killed like half of Noah鈥檚 ark,鈥 Kimmel said of Cecil鈥檚 killer, Walter James Palmer.
Kimmel took a serious turn and he got choked up when urging viewers to contribute to the Oxford University researchers who鈥檇 collared, tracked and studied Cecil in Zimbabwe.
Reaction to Kimmel鈥檚 plea has . A special page 聽to handle the outpouring of donations.
Watch Kimmel’s monologue:
海角社区app’s Kate Ryan contributed to this report.