Cecil the Lion's Killer Identified; Details Here

If you've been wondering who killed beloved Cecil the lion, the culprit has finally been identified - he's an American dentist named Walter Palmer.

"Walter James Palmer, a dentist from Minnesota, is believed to have paid £35,000 ($50,000) to shoot and kill the much-loved lion with a bow and arrow," The Telegraph reported. "The animal was shot on July 1 in Hwange National Park. Two independent sources have confirmed the hunter's identity to the paper, which has also seen a copy of the relevant hunting permit."

Palmer reportedly left the lion after removing his collar, skinning him, and taking his head, sparking a flurry of outrage over the killing. The incident lit up social media and ignited calls to punish the hunter.

"They went hunting at night with a spotlight and they spotted Cecil," said Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force representative Johnny Rodrigues, as noted by The Guardian. "They tied a dead animal to their vehicle to lure Cecil out of the park and they scented an area about half a kilometre from the park."

Although the hunter shot at the lion with a bow and arrow, it did not kill the animal. The hunter then tracked Cecil down and, after 40 hours, shot the animal with a gun. It is worth noting that no animal can be killed within the park.

Palmer has since released an official statement regarding the issue, citing his distress over mistakenly killing the beloved 13-year-old feline. His statement is as follows, as noted by Star Tribune:

"In early July, I was in Zimbabwe on a bow hunting trip for big game. I hired several professional guides and they secured all proper permits. To my knowledge, everything about this trip was legal and properly handled and conducted."

"I had no idea that the lion I took was a known, local favorite, was collared and part of a study until the end of the hunt. I relied on the expertise of my local professional guides to ensure a legal hunt."

"I have not been contacted by authorities in Zimbabwe or in the U.S. about this situation, but will assist them in any inquiries they may have."

"Again, I deeply regret that my pursuit of an activity I love and practice responsibly and legally resulted in the taking of this lion."

Cecil had been famous among visitors and reportedly "enjoyed human contact."

In the wake of the killing, Theo Bronkhorst, a professional hunter, is facing criminal charges, as well as the landowner of the area bordering the national park. Bronkhorst was the one who told Parks and Wildlife Management Authority of the mistaken killing a day after the incident.

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