Zimbabwe calls for Cecil the lion killer to be extradited

SCI told the agency Palmer’s suspension – along with that of his guide – was pending the outcome of a “full and thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding the death of Cecil the lion in Zimbabwe”.

Zimbabwe’s Environment and Wildlife Minister, Oppah Muchinguri, on Friday has said Zimbabwe will apply for the extradition of a U.S. dentist who illegally killed a famous lion in the southern African nation. He said Palmer, who reportedly paid $50,000 to hunt the lion, also violated the act through financing an illegal hunt.

Investigations suggest the killing of Cecil was illegal because the landowner “was not allocated a lion on his hunting quota for 2015”, said a statement from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and Safari Operators Association of Zimbabwe.

He said in a statement issued by a publicist early this week that he had hired professional guides and believed the necessary hunting permits were in order. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which is investigating the case, said it can’t reach him.

“Palmer, being an American citizen, had a well-orchestrated agenda which would tarnish the image of Zimbabwe and further strain the relation between Zimbabwe and the United States”, she alleged.

The extradition process can not begin until Zimbabwe officially issues a charge and requests Palmer’s return.

“It was too late to apprehend the foreign poacher because he had already absconded to his country of origin”, she said, according to Reuters.

“Let’s not be cowardly lions when it comes to trophy killings”, Menendez said. If he is found, Palmer, a dentist hailing from Minnesota, will face the consequences of his action.

The Chronicle says that lion researchers in Hwange realised that Cecil was in trouble early this month when his collar gave out readings showing that he wasn’t moving.

Hundreds of protesters have gathered outside Palmer’s dental practice in Bloomington, Minnesota, this week to voice their disgust, CNN affiliate WCCO reported. Courts in Zimbabwe first consider a fine when convicting a lion poacher before imposing a jail term, he said. A We the People petition to extradite Palmer to Zimbabwe has already received more than 170,000 signatures and the promise of an official response by the White House. “We have certain processes we have to follow”, Muchinguri added.

Meanwhile the Zimbabwe Embassy in Washington said it hasn’t received specific instructions on the extradition yet.

Part of the problem with Zimbabwe’s request is that even U.S officials can’t find Palmer.

“I think the chances are very low”, he said.

“The client then fired using a bow and arrow, and it went away into the long grass”. “When we have enough concern about the future of a species to propose it for listing, we should not be killing it for sport”.

Demands to extradite Walter Palmer have been made whilst the dentist remains in hiding, refusing to work with authorities.