Zimbabwe will not charge
Zimbabwe’s Environment minister says the country will not charge American dentist Walter Palmer for killing Cecil because he had obtained legal authority to conduct the hunt. The government says Palmer is free to visit Zimbabwe as a tourist but not as a hunter.
We approached the police and then the Prosecutor General, and it turned out that Palmer came to Zimbabwe because all the papers were in order.
Zimbabwe seeks extradition
Muchinguri, Zimbabwe’s environment minister, says the process to extradite Palmer from the United States is underway.
Unfortunately, it was too late to apprehend the foreign poacher as he had already absconded to his country of origin. We are appealing to the responsible authorities for his extradition to Zimbabwe so that he be made accountable. This must be condemned in the strongest possible terms by all genuine, animal-loving conservationists who believe in sustainable utilization of natural resources.
She also says Palmer’s use of a crossbow and arrow to shoot the lion before he was eventually shot and killed with a gun had breached Zimbabwe’s hunting rules.
USFWS investigation
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces it is investigating Cecil’s killing.
We're investigating the killing of #CecilTheLion. Will go where facts lead. We ask Dr. Palmer or his rep to contact USFWS immediately.
— U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (@USFWS) July 30, 2015
Guides appear in court
Bronkhorst and his co-defendant, farm owner Honest Trymore Ndlovu, who were arrested for illegally hunting Cecil, appear in court. The Safari Operators Association of Zimbabwe, has revoked Bronkhurst’s license. Association President:
Ethics are certainly against baiting. Animals are supposed to be given a chance of a fair chase. In fact, it was not a hunt at all. The animal was baited and that is not how we do it. It is not allowed.
The proceedings are delayed because prosecutors are “making their assessments”. If convicted, the men face up to 15 years in prison in Zimbabwe. Later Bronkhurst is released on a $1000 bond.
Lion killer identified
Zimbabwean authorities say that Palmer, a Minnesota dentist, is responsible for slaying Cecil, a protected lion. Palmer paid at least $50,000 to track and kill the animal. Palmer faces charges of poaching. The conservation group alleges that Palmer worked with the guides to lure Cecil from the national park to an unprotected area by strapping a “dead animal to their vehicle.”