This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-33787351

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Cecil the lion's killer a good man, says Zimbabwe hunter Cecil the lion's killer a good man, says Zimbabwe hunter
(about 2 hours later)
The US dentist who killed a lion in Zimbabwe had done nothing wrong and was a "good man", AFP quotes the hunter who led the expedition as saying. The US dentist who killed a lion in Zimbabwe did nothing wrong and was a "good man", according to the hunter who led the controversial expedition.
Theo Bronkhorst made the remarks after his trial for failing to prevent a legal hunt was postponed. Theo Bronkhorst made the remarks after his trial for failing to prevent an illegal hunt was postponed.
He said the case was "crazy" and the permits to kill Cecil the lion outside Hwange National Park had been obtained.He said the case was "crazy" and the permits to kill Cecil the lion outside Hwange National Park had been obtained.
The killing in July has caused outrage around the world and the dentist, Walter Palmer, is in hiding.The killing in July has caused outrage around the world and the dentist, Walter Palmer, is in hiding.
He is believed to have paid about $50,000 (£32,000) to hunt down Cecil, a major tourist attraction at Hwange National Park - Zimbabwe's largest game reserve. Protests have been held outside his dental clinic in Minnesota and vandals spray-painted "lion killer" on the garage of his holiday home in Florida earlier this week.
Zimbabwe's Environment Minister Oppah Muchinguri has called for Mr Palmer to be extradited to face charges.Zimbabwe's Environment Minister Oppah Muchinguri has called for Mr Palmer to be extradited to face charges.
'Prosecution is frivolous' 'Frivolous prosecution'
As he was leaving the court in Hwange town, in north-western Zimbabwe, Mr Bronkhorst defended Mr Palmer. As he left the court in Hwange town, in north-western Zimbabwe, Mr Bronkhorst defended the American.
"I feel sorry for my client [Mr Palmer]. He is a good man. He did nothing wrong," he told reporters. "I feel sorry for [Mr Palmer]. He is a good man. He did nothing wrong," he was quoted as saying by AFP news agency.
Mr Bronkhorst attacked the legal proceedings: "I think it's frivolous and I think it's wrong." He also attacked the legal proceedings as "frivolous" and said hunting was "integral" to Zimbabwe and had to continue.
He added that was hunting was "integral" to the country and had to continue.
"If we do not use wildlife sustainably there will be no wildlife," the professional hunter said."If we do not use wildlife sustainably there will be no wildlife," the professional hunter said.
When asked about his prosecution, he said it was "crazy".
Cecil the lion in pictures:
How do you transport a lion's head?How do you transport a lion's head?
What Cecil the lion means to Zimbabwe
When is hunting not poachingWhen is hunting not poaching
The trial of Mr Bronkhorst was postponed on Wednesday to give his legal team more time to prepare their defence. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.
Mr Palmer is believed to have paid about $50,000 (£32,000) to hunt down Cecil, a major tourist attraction at Hwange National Park - Zimbabwe's largest game reserve.
Ms Muchinguri says Mr Palmer's extradition is being sought so that he can "be held accountable for his illegal action". The US is yet to respond to the request.
Cecil the lion
What Cecil the lion means to Zimbabwe
Cecil the lion in pictures
How the internet hunted the hunterHow the internet hunted the hunter