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| Cecil the lion death: US investigates Walter Palmer hunt | Cecil the lion death: US investigates Walter Palmer hunt |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| US officials have launched an investigation into the killing of a lion in Zimbabwe but say they have been unable to reach the American involved. | US officials have launched an investigation into the killing of a lion in Zimbabwe but say they have been unable to reach the American involved. |
| The US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) said it was "deeply concerned" about the "tragic" death of Cecil the lion. | |
| Director Dan Ashe said they will "go where facts lead" but efforts to reach Walter Palmer have been unsuccessful. | |
| Mr Palmer says he thought the hunt was legal but two Zimbabwean men have been arrested over the popular lion's death. | Mr Palmer says he thought the hunt was legal but two Zimbabwean men have been arrested over the popular lion's death. |
| The dental practice he runs in Minneapolis has been closed since he was named as the tourist who shot Cecil, Zimbabwe's most famous lion. | The dental practice he runs in Minneapolis has been closed since he was named as the tourist who shot Cecil, Zimbabwe's most famous lion. |
| Protesters gathered outside the building on Wednesday, carrying placards saying "Justice for Cecil", "Trophy hunters are cowards" and "Prosecute poachers". | Protesters gathered outside the building on Wednesday, carrying placards saying "Justice for Cecil", "Trophy hunters are cowards" and "Prosecute poachers". |
| In a statement released on Thursday, the FWS said: "We are currently gathering facts about the issue and will assist Zimbabwe officials in whatever manner requested." | |
| "At this point in time, however, multiple efforts to contact Dr Walter Palmer have been unsuccessful," it said, saying Mr Palmer or his representative should contact them immediately. | |
| "It is up to all of us - not just the people of Africa - to ensure that healthy, wild populations of animals continue to roam the savannah for generations to come," the statement said. | |
| The whereabouts of Mr Palmer is currently unknown, but he is thought to have returned to the US after Cecil was killed on 1 July. | |
| In a letter to his patients, the dentist said he would assist authorities in Zimbabwe or the US in their inquiries. | |
| He also apologised for the disruption to his practice, saying he was in the news "for reasons that have nothing to do with my profession or the care I provide for you". |