THE man who shot and killed a famous African lion named Cecil is a rich American dentist whose office in Minnesota is now under siege.
An online petition says that a US big game hunter and dentist, Walter Palmer, paid more than $75,000 for the right to shoot an African lion.
He travelled with other game hunters into one of Zimbabwe’s national parks, where he reportedly lured poor Cecil out by tying a dead animal to his vehicle.
When Cecil came out of the national park, Palmer shot him with a bow-and-arrow, and when the animal didn’t die, he shot it again, with a gun. What a hero.
Walter, who is married with two daughters, then skinned Cecil and took his head, presumably for a trophy.
Cecil was one of the most famous lions at the Hwange national park. He was 13 years old and his death may not constitute a crime because he was shot outside the park and never mind that he was lured out.
Walter has released a statement through a friend, saying he was “upset” that he killed Cecil, because he meant to kill a less-famous lion.
“He had the proper legal permits,” the friend said, “he had professional guides. He’s not denying that he may be the person who shot this lion. He is a big-game hunter. He hunts the world over.”
According to an article in the New York Times several years ago, Walter just loves shooting and killing animals. He learnt to shoot at age five, and is “capable of skewering a playing card from 100 yards with his compound bow”.
Bully for him. Poor Cecil.
