Muchinguri, a senior member of President Robert Mugabe’s ruling ZANU-PF party, described Cecil, a black-maned lion well-known to foreign tourists in the Hwange National Park – as an “iconic attraction”.
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“We are appealing to the responsible authorities for (Palmer’s) extradition to Zimbabwe so that he can be made accountable for his illegal actions”, Environment Minister Oppah Muchinguri told reporters in Harare on Friday.
Zimbabwe has called for the extradition of Walter Palmer, as news emerged that the trophy hunter from Minnesota had posed for a photograph next to the body of Cecil the lion. “The processes have already started”.
She said Palmer would be sought on charges of financing an illegal hunt and for violation of Section 123 of the Parks and Wildlife Act, which controls the use of bows and arrows in hunting.
Social media in the United States and Europe have exploded in outrage and vitriol against Palmer, and the White House said on Thursday it would review a public petition of more than 100,000 signatures to have him extradited.
Walter James Palmer reportedly paid €47,000 ($50,000) to shoot the 13-year-old lion in Zimbabwe earlier this month.
Zimbabwe and the United States have often sparred over the years.
Zimbabwe is considered one of the world’s worst human rights violators. They were granted bail pending trial due in August.
Part of the revenue is used in wildlife conservation and for aiding impoverished local communities whose cattle are said to be preyed on by wild animals from time to time. The U.S. has a treaty with Zimbabwe dictating that if someone is “charged or convicted of an offense punishable under the laws of both countries” that person can be extradited. Two native hunters have already to face fees of poaching as a result of they allegedly lured the lion out of the Hwange Nationwide Park, a recreation reserve.
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”.
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Safari Club global has suspended the memberships of Palmer and his hunting guide during the investigations and says anyone who hunts illegally should be prosecuted.
