Creator of the beloved Beanie Baby, TY Inc. is dedicating its latest toy to Cecil the lion, whose recent death has caused an uproar around the world.
The plush animal will be added to TY’s collection to commemorate the loss of Zimbabwe’s famed lion, who was killed by an American dentist who hunted for him sport.
Dr. Walter Palmer, the Minnesota hunter, has since advised upset patients to seek care elsewhere amid severe backlash surrounding the controversial kill.
In the wake of the lion’s death, founder and chairman of TY Inc, Ty Warner, hopes to shed light on animal conservation.
“Hopefully, this special Beanie Baby will raise awareness for animal conservation and give comfort to all saddened by the loss of Cecil,” he said.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Cecil the Lion Beanie Baby will be on sale at the end of September for $5.99.
The company has promised that all proceeds will go to WildCRU, the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit of University of Oxford in Oxford, England.