Zimbabwe Hunting For America’s Least Popular Dentist

Zimbabwe’s environment minister says US dentist Walter Palmer should be extradited for the “illegal” killing of Cecil the lion.

“It was too late to apprehend the foreign poacher as he had already absconded to his country of origin”.

Cecil was considered an iconic attraction for tourists at Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park. By paying $50,000 for killing the lion, he also financed an illegal hunt. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which is investigating the case, said it can’t reach him. In one of his only public statements, Palmer said Tuesday “I deeply regret” killing “a known, local favorite” and that he relied on local guides.

Muchinguri echoed the petitioners Friday, saying almost 500,000 people in Zimbabwe had called via Facebook for Palmer’s extradition, saying he should be tried for his alleged offenses, such as violating the Parks and Wildlife Act, for example. He also said the hunt Palmer paid for was illegal and is asking the States to extradite the thrill killer to Zimbabwe to face justice.

He noted that the US allows the legal import of some 450 African lion trophies annually, and US citizens are responsible for about 60 percent of African lions recreationally hunted each year. The hunter who accompanied him told the The Daily Telegraph the pair had been “devastated” when they realised Cecil was wearing a radio collar because he was part of an academic study by Oxford University.

Palmer, 55, of Eden Prairie, shot and wounded the lion with a bow and arrow July 1. The hunt hadn’t been authorized by the Gwaii Valley Farmers’ Association, which is in charge of all hunting in the area, the group said in an e-mailed statement.

The US imposed sanctions including travel bans and asset freezes on long-ruling President Robert Mugabe and members of his inner circle after 2002 elections which western observers said were rigged.

“At the very least maybe we can show the world that not all Americans are like this jackhole here”, he said, as a photo of a smiling Palmer advertising his dental practice filled the screen. “The investigation will take us wherever the facts lead”, said Edward Grace, the agency’s deputy chief of law enforcement.

The other Walter J. Palmer has not had any unwanted visitors at his Minneapolis home.

According to news reports, Palmer left Cecil’s carcass in the Zimbabwean bush, taking with him only the animal’s skin and head, ostensibly to have them mounted into a replica trophy for display.

First, Harare has to apply to U.S. courts and satisfy them that Palmer committed an offence, and that he would be jailed for more than one year if convicted.