Minnesota Dentist Focus of Outrage After Killing Famous Lion

A dentist from Minnesota is taking a HUGE amount of heat but will likely not face charges after luring "Cecil the Lion" from a protected national park, and killing it.

Authorities say, Walter Palmer, who practices in Albert Lea, Minn., lured the lion from the park with a dead animal tied to a vehicle during a nighttime hunt earlier this month. Johnny Rodrigues, a spokesman for the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force, says that once Cecil was outside the park Palmer shot him with a crossbow. Apparently, the arrow didn't kill the lion. Rodrigues claims that Palmer tracked the lion and found him 40 HOURS later, when they killed him with a rifle. Cecil was found beheaded and skinned near the park. His head has still not been found. It's alleged that the professional hunter with Palmer tried to destroy the radio collar, even though killing a collared lion also isn't illegal. I guess they didn't want the bad press. Too bad guys, you've got it. And when you're looking at a $55,000 payday, reportedly what Palmer paid, you do whatever's necessary.

What's just as troubling to me is that it's OK to lure lions from National Parks in Zimbabwe. Lion Aid reports that about three-quarters of the lions living on the border of the national park have been lured out and shot by hunters. That's just WRONG. And we're hearing about it only because Cecil was famous.

The owner of the land, Honest Trymore Ndlovu, is already facing charges in the lion's death, as well as Bushman Safaris employee Theo Bronkhorst. Ddlovu faces charges because the hunting quota for his land this year was not large enough to accommodate the lion. Palmer likely won't face charges, because hunters are trusted to do as they're told. However, you should know that Palmer faced prison time seven years ago when he lied to a federal agent about where he killed a bear in Wisconsin. He later admitted to killing the animal some 40 miles from where he was approved to hunt.

As far as the Zimbabwe hunt is concerned, Palmer issued this statement to KSTP-TV:

"In early July, I was in Zimbabwe on a bow hunting trip for big game. I hired several professional guides and they secured all proper permits. To my knowledge, everything about this trip was legal and properly handled and conducted.

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. Again, I deeply regret that my pursuit of an activity I love and practice responsibly and legally resulted in the taking of this lion."

Hunting doesn't bother me. I come from a family where hunting pheasants, raccoons, and deer is prevalent. However, luring an animal from a protected area for hunting is wrong whether it be in the U.S. or elsewhere. Let's hope this forces a change to the law in Zimbabwe before another Cecil, believing it's safe, meets a similar demise.

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[via Heavy and The Guardian]