CHICAGO — Plush-toy maker Ty has created a “Cecil the Lion” Beanie Baby as an animal rights fundraiser in response to a Minnesota hunter who faces worldwide scorn and potential extradition to Africa after illegally killing a protected lion named Cecil in Zimbabwe.

“Hopefully, this special Beanie Baby will raise awareness for animal conservation and give comfort to all saddened by the loss of Cecil,” said Ty Warner, company founder and chairman.

Also Monday, Delta Air Lines announced it would no longer ship lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros and buffalo trophies.

Ty, based in suburban Chicago, on Monday pledged all profits from its sales to retailers to WildCRU, the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit of University of Oxford in Oxford, England, “in memory of the beloved lion tragically killed,” the company said.


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