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Cecil the lion: US dentist blamed for Zimbabwe killing US dentist Walter Palmer 'regrets' killing Zimbabwe lion Cecil
(about 4 hours later)
Conservationists in Zimbabwe say the man who paid $50,000 (£32,000) to kill the country's most famous lion was an American dentist. A US dentist who killed a lion in Zimbabwe says he regrets shooting the well-known animal and insists that he thought he was on a legal hunt.
The Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force (ZCTF) named the tourist as Walter Palmer from Minnesota and said he shot the animal with a crossbow and rifle. Police in Zimbabwe have arrested two people over the death of Cecil, the country's most famous lion, and say Mr Palmer may also face poaching charges.
The lion, named Cecil, was later skinned and beheaded, the ZCTF said. But Mr Palmer, from Minnesota, said he relied on professional guides to find a lion and obtain the necessary permits.
Two Zimbabwean men who were involved face poaching charges because the group did not have a hunting permit. He also said he only found out the lion's identity at the end of the hunt.
The men - a professional hunter and a farm owner - could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison in Zimbabwe if they are found guilty. They are due to appear in court on Wednesday. The American tourist, who is believed to have paid about $50,000 (£32,000) to go on the hunt, is said to have shot the animal with a crossbow and rifle.
It is unclear whether Mr Palmer has already returned to the US but Zimbabwean police confirmed that he could also face poaching charges. It was later skinned and beheaded, according to the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force (ZCTF), a local charity.
"We arrested two people and now we are looking for Palmer in connection with the same case," police spokeswoman Charity Charamba told reporters. Two Zimbabwean men - a professional hunter and a farm owner - have been charged with poaching offences because the group did not have a hunting permit.
Authorities had previously said that a Spanish tourist may have been behind the killing. They could face up to 15 years in prison in Zimbabwe if they are found guilty. They are due to appear in court on Wednesday.
Angry backlash 'An activity I love'
Mr Palmer told the Minnesota Star Tribune that "some things are being misreported". He said he would release a statement later on Tuesday. But Mr Palmer, who is thought to be back in the US, insisted that his guides had secured "all proper permits" for the hunt.
A spokesman for the dentist told the Guardian that Mr Palmer thinks "he might have shot that lion that has been referred to as Cecil". "I relied on the expertise of my local professional guides to ensure a legal hunt," he said in a statement on Tuesday.
But he said the American "had the proper legal permits and he had hired several professional guides". He said he had not been contacted by authorities in Zimbabwe or the US but said he "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," he added.
The dental practice run by Mr Palmer was closed on Tuesday and a note was placed on the door referring visitors to a public relations firm, according to local press.The dental practice run by Mr Palmer was closed on Tuesday and a note was placed on the door referring visitors to a public relations firm, according to local press.
The practice's Facebook page was removed from the site after being besieged by angry comments and the company website was also taken down.The practice's Facebook page was removed from the site after being besieged by angry comments and the company website was also taken down.
Zimbabwe, like many African countries, is battling to curb illegal hunting and poaching which threatens to make some of its wildlife extinct.Zimbabwe, like many African countries, is battling to curb illegal hunting and poaching which threatens to make some of its wildlife extinct.
The 13-year-old lion was a major tourist attraction at the country's famous Hwange National Park.The 13-year-old lion was a major tourist attraction at the country's famous Hwange National Park.
Night-time pursuit
He is believed to have been killed on 1 July but the carcass was not discovered until a few days later.He is believed to have been killed on 1 July but the carcass was not discovered until a few days later.
The ZCTF said the hunters had used bait to lure him outside Hwange National Park during a night-time pursuit.The ZCTF said the hunters had used bait to lure him outside Hwange National Park during a night-time pursuit.
Mr Palmer is said to have shot Cecil with a crossbow, injuring the animal. The group didn't find the wounded lion until 40 hours later, when he was shot dead with a gun.Mr Palmer is said to have shot Cecil with a crossbow, injuring the animal. The group didn't find the wounded lion until 40 hours later, when he was shot dead with a gun.
The animal had a GPS collar fitted for a research project by UK-based Oxford University that allowed authorities to track its movements. The hunters tried to destroy it, but failed, according to the ZCTF.The animal had a GPS collar fitted for a research project by UK-based Oxford University that allowed authorities to track its movements. The hunters tried to destroy it, but failed, according to the ZCTF.
On Monday, the head of the ZCTF charity told the BBC that Cecil "never bothered anybody". On Monday, the head of the ZCTF told the BBC that Cecil "never bothered anybody" and was "one of the most beautiful animals to look at".
"He was one of the most beautiful animals to look at," Johnny Rodrigues said. The six cubs of Cecil will now be killed by the new male lion in the pride, Johnny Rodrigues added, in order to encourage the lionesses to mate with him.
The six cubs of Cecil will now be killed by the new male lion in the pride, Mr Rodrigues added, in order to encourage the lionesses to mate with him. "That's how it works... it's in the wild. It's nature taking its course," he added.
"That's how it works... it's in the wild. It's nature taking its course," he said. About a century ago there were around 200,000 lions roaming across Africa but that figure has dropped to less than 30,000 in recent years.
Hunting lions is legal in several countries in southern Africa, including Zimbabwe, but groups must obtain a valid permit from authorities.