Zimbabwe: American lion killer’s extradition being sought

According to Zimbabwe’s environment minister, Oppah Muchinguri, in a news conference on Friday, “We are appealing to the responsible authorities for his extradition to Zimbabwe so that he can be held accountable for his illegal action”.

She also suggested that Palmer had the additional motive of wanting to tarnish Zimbabwe’s image, and said the country’s prosecutor general had initiated the extradition request.

Muchinguri said Palmer, the professional hunter Theo Bronkhorst, and the landowner Honest Ndlovu were part of an “organised gang”.

Animal advocates say this would remove a big incentive for American hunters to kill lions.

She added, “This must be condemned in the strongest possible terms by all genuine, animal-loving conservationists who believe in sustainable utilization of natural resources”.

In a written statement Palmer claimed that he was told by guides sponsoring the hunt that the killing was legal. Palmer’s use of a crossbow and arrow to hunt Cecil violated Zimbabwe hunting regulations, according to reports.

Cecil, a well-known lion at a national park in Zimbabwe, was lured out of the park and shot with a bow earlier this month.

Authorities seeking Palmer’s extradition have described him as an accomplice to the illegal hunt. “We appreciate the cooperation, investigation is ongoing”. Investigators have visited Palmer’s home and his dentist office, but have not been able to locate him.

The African authorities are the latest group to want Palmer to show his face after he became the most infamous man in the world one week ago. To receive a response, the petition needed 100,000 signatures by August 27. In a note to his patients, he wrote: “I understand and respect that not everyone shares the same views on hunting”. “That was never my intention”.

“Zimbabwe game officials said Tuesday that two of Palmer’s guides are facing charges in the incident and that they ‘are looking for Palmer.'”.

“Privacy considerations prevent us from commenting further on the status of the U.S. citizen allegedly involved”, it said.

“I didn’t really know what to say”.

Since April 2000, the US and Zimbabwe have had a bilateral extradition treaty for cases where an individual is charged with what would be a criminal offense in both countries. Its researchers had been tracking Cecil since 2008. We have certain processes we have to follow.

And the outrage over the death of Cecil the lion is even reaching the White House.

The US has investigated whether Palmer conspired to violate the Lacey Act, which prohibits trade in wildlife that has been illegally killed, transported or sold.

The young cubs left without a father after the cruel slaughter of Cecil the lion are being protected by his brother amid fears they may be killed by a rival male.