Walter Palmer arrives at the River Bluff Dental clinic in Bloomington, Minnesota, September 8, 2015. REUTERS/Eric Miller
HARARE |
Zimbabwe will not charge American dentist Walter Palmer for killing its most prized lion in July because he had obtained legal authority to conduct the hunt, a Cabinet minister said on Monday, angering conservationists.
Cecil the Lion
By Michael Sainato, contributor
The Conserving Ecosystems by Ceasing the Importation of Large (CECIL) Animal Trophies Act was introduced by New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez (D) on July 31. “Let’s not be cowardly lions when it comes to trophy killings,” said Menendez in a press release. “Cecil’s [a popular lion in Zimbabwe] death was a preventable tragedy that highlights the need to extend the protections of the Endangered Species Act.” The bill would discourage trophy hunting abroad by making it illegal to import parts of any species listed as threatened or endangered, but more steps through policy, advocacy and funding need to be made to ensure trophy hunting is eradicated and animals are protected.
US dentist challenges stories about Zimbabwean hunt and says he was ‘heartbroken’ for staff when he had to close his clinic.
Cecil
By Mark Tran
The American dentist who killed Cecil the lion in Zimbabwe has expressed dismay at the furore that engulfed his family and staff and said he needed to return to work for his patients.
