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| Dentist who illegally killed Cecil the lion blames local guides for the scandal | |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| A Minnesota man has been accused of illegally killing a famed lion in Zimbabe. | A Minnesota man has been accused of illegally killing a famed lion in Zimbabe. |
| Walter James Palmer of Eden Prairie, Minnesota has been named by Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force as the shooter of Cecil, a 13-year-old prized lion. He is now wanted by Zimbabwe officials on poaching charges. | Walter James Palmer of Eden Prairie, Minnesota has been named by Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force as the shooter of Cecil, a 13-year-old prized lion. He is now wanted by Zimbabwe officials on poaching charges. |
| The lion was protected and the subject of a decade long study by the Wildlife Unit of Oxford University in the UK. He was outfitted with a GPS collar and was killed in Hwange National Park. The Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Authority and the Safari Operators Association said that two men were charged with poaching in connection to Mr Palmer. | The lion was protected and the subject of a decade long study by the Wildlife Unit of Oxford University in the UK. He was outfitted with a GPS collar and was killed in Hwange National Park. The Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Authority and the Safari Operators Association said that two men were charged with poaching in connection to Mr Palmer. |
| Palmer, left, poses with another lion shot in Africa. (via trophyhuntamerica.smugmug.com) Mr Palmer allegedly paid the guides $55,000, however, on Tuesday he issued a statement claiming he had no prior knowledge of the lion's protection, stating he would fully cooperate with officials. | Palmer, left, poses with another lion shot in Africa. (via trophyhuntamerica.smugmug.com) Mr Palmer allegedly paid the guides $55,000, however, on Tuesday he issued a statement claiming he had no prior knowledge of the lion's protection, stating he would fully cooperate with officials. |
| "I had no idea that the lion I took was a known, local favorite, was collared and part of a study until the end of the hunt. I relied on the expertise of my local professional guides to ensure a legal hunt. | "I had no idea that the lion I took was a known, local favorite, was collared and part of a study until the end of the hunt. I relied on the expertise of my local professional guides to ensure a legal hunt. |
| "I have not been contacted by authorities in Zimbabwe or in the U.S. about this situation, but will assist them in any inquiries they may have. | "I have not been contacted by authorities in Zimbabwe or in the U.S. about this situation, but will assist them in any inquiries they may have. |
| "Again, I deeply regret that my pursuit of an activity I love and practice responsibly and legally resulted in the taking of this lion." | "Again, I deeply regret that my pursuit of an activity I love and practice responsibly and legally resulted in the taking of this lion." |
| In 2008, Mr Palmer plead guilty to making false statements to the US Fish and Wildlife Service after he illegally shot and killed a black bear in Wisconsin, the Associated Press reported. He initially faced five years in prison and was sentenced to one year’s probation with a $3,000 fine. | In 2008, Mr Palmer plead guilty to making false statements to the US Fish and Wildlife Service after he illegally shot and killed a black bear in Wisconsin, the Associated Press reported. He initially faced five years in prison and was sentenced to one year’s probation with a $3,000 fine. |
| Meanwhile, activists and proponents for animal rights expressed their grief and concern. In a statement released by spokeswoman Jessica Johnson, PETA President and Co-Founder Ingrid E. Newkirk called the dentist a coward: | Meanwhile, activists and proponents for animal rights expressed their grief and concern. In a statement released by spokeswoman Jessica Johnson, PETA President and Co-Founder Ingrid E. Newkirk called the dentist a coward: |