A Minneapolis-area dentist had to change his Facebook page and is under international scrutiny – for his alleged role in killing one of Zimbabwe’s most famous and beloved lions.
Cecil, recognizable by his black mane, was allegedly lured out of the Zimbabwe national park with bait by professional Zimbabwean hunter Theo Bronkhorst, onto a local landowner’s property.
Bronkhorst was allegedly paid $55,000 by American dentist Walter J. Palmer for the hunt.
Once on the property, Palmer shot the lion with a bow and arrow but the hit did not kill the injured lion, instead, the pair stalked the animal for two more days before shooting him with a gun to finish him off.
Afterwards, Palmer had the animal skinned and beheaded for a trophy.
Now the Zimbabwe parks authorities are stepping in with poaching charges as Cecil the lion was collared and should have never been killed.
The government claims that tourism will suffer as Cecil was loved by all those in the national park and was known as a gentle giant that frequently walked near tourists, and was part of an Oxford University research program.
Zimbabwean wildlife authorities say two men will appear in court.
The Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Authority and the Safari Operators Association said Tuesday the pair face poaching charges for hunting a protected lion.
Palmer is believed to have left the country.
He issues a statement today, claiming that he regrets having killed Cecil the lion whilst adamantly denying that the lion’s death was his fault.
Instead the River Bluff Dental practitioner has blamed guides for ‘misleading him.’
