“I was heartbroken along with so many Americans who are mourning the awful killing of the lion Cecil by a man from Minnesota”, she begins in her piece.
Advertisement
Palmer shot the beloved animal in Zimbabwe with a crossbow.
Specifically, Muchinguri said Palmer’s use of a bow and arrow is illegal under Zimbabwe law. The landowner violated the act because he ‘allowed a hunt to be conducted without a quota and necessary permit, ‘ Muchinguri said.
Bronkhorst added that Palmer had stayed in Zimbabwe only three days and that the two had not been in contact since news of Cecil’s death triggered worldwide fury at the hunters’ actions. “I relied on the expertise of my local professional guides to ensure a legal hunt”, the statement read. He wore a Global Positioning System tag as part of wildlife research funded by Oxford University.
Officials at Hwange National Park could not be reached for comment Sunday, but the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority said Saturday it was suspending all hunts of lions, leopards, and elephants in areas outside the Hwange park.
The big lion – a major attraction at the park – was recognisable because of his large size and distinctive black mane and who seemingly enjoyed human company. It’s now closed, and Palmer’s whereabouts are unknown.
According to environmental minister Oppah Muchinguri, the formal process will request that the U.S. send Palmer to Zimbabwe to stand trial for poaching. “We appreciate the cooperation, investigation is ongoing”, the tweet said Friday.
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the African lion should be listed among the “threatened” species.
“We are trying other avenues”, said Richard Chibuwe, the deputy chief of mission at the embassy in Washington.
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.
The petition needed to receive 100,000 signatures by August 27 to get a response.
“Jimmy Kimmel implored his millions of listeners in the USA to make donations to support our work on lions, and conservation more widely”, wrote David Macdonald, WildCRU’s founding director, on the unit’s website late Thursday.
CBS News correspondent Vinita Nair reports Palmer has been hounded online and off – with some people calling for his death.
The wildlife conservation authority is said to be cash-strapped as official figures show trophy hunting generates some 40 million U.S. dollars annually for Zimbabwe.
Advertisement
Palmer, 55, is a dentist in the Minneapolis suburb of Bloomington.
