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| US dentist Walter Palmer 'regrets' killing Zimbabwe lion Cecil | US dentist Walter Palmer 'regrets' killing Zimbabwe lion Cecil |
| (about 17 hours later) | |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| But Mr Palmer, from Minnesota, said he relied on professional guides to find a lion and obtain the necessary permits. | But Mr Palmer, from Minnesota, said he relied on professional guides to find a lion and obtain the necessary permits. |
| He also said he only found out the lion's identity at the end of the hunt. | He also said he only found out the lion's identity at the end of the hunt. |
| 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. | 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 was later skinned and beheaded, according to the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force (ZCTF), a local charity. | It was later skinned and beheaded, according to the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force (ZCTF), a local charity. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 'An activity I love' | 'An activity I love' |
| But Mr Palmer, who is thought to be back in the US, insisted that his guides had secured "all proper permits" for the hunt. | But Mr Palmer, who is thought to be back in the US, insisted that his guides had secured "all proper permits" for the hunt. |
| "I relied on the expertise of my local professional guides to ensure a legal hunt," he said in a statement on Tuesday. | "I relied on the expertise of my local professional guides to ensure a legal hunt," he said in a statement on Tuesday. |
| 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". | 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 practise 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 | 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 told the BBC that Cecil "never bothered anybody" and was "one of the most beautiful animals to look at". | 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". |
| 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, Johnny 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 added. |
| 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. | 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. | Hunting lions is legal in several countries in southern Africa, including Zimbabwe, but groups must obtain a valid permit from authorities. |