Dentist Who Wanted Cecil The Lion Dead Issues Apology

Amidst the growing attacks and criticisms against him, the dentist who killed Zimbabwe's famous lion has released a letter of apology on Tuesday.

Addressing his patients, Minnesota-based dentist Walter James Palmer has spoken about the death of "Cecil the Lion". According to Yahoo News, Palmer explained that he did not know Cecil was a popular lion and that the animal has been collared for a study.

As shared by Yahoo News, the statement read: "To my valued patients: As you may have already heard, I have been in the news over the last few days for reasons that have nothing to do with my profession or the care I provide for you."

"The media interest in this matter - along with a substantial number of comments and calls from people who are angered by this situation and by the practice of hunting in general - has disrupted our business and our ability to see our patients... I apologize profoundly for this inconvenience and promise you that we will do our best to resume normal operations as soon as possible," it added.

Palmer explained that he made sure to hire local professional guides and even acquired the needed permits to do the hunt. But he added that he feels remorseful of what he did. His business Facebook page has been taken down, and his official telephone lines have also been disconnected. An online petition to hold Palmer and his accomplices accountable have been launched by concerned netizens.

Palmer reportedly paid $50,000 to hunt the lion at Hwange National Park recently.

Cecil is considered a high profile lion in Zimbabwe, and is even considered a mascot of Hwange National Park. The lion is distinct for its black mane. The Guardian said the 13-year-old famous lion had a GPS collar as it is part of a research being undertaken by Oxford University, a project that has been running since 1999. The hunters even tried to destroy the collar, according to authorities.

The Zimbabwe National Parks, meanwhile, has also issued its own statement through its website. The management explained that aside from the dentist, the professional hunter and the land owner might also be held accountable for the incident.

The statement read: "Both the professional hunter and land owner had no permit or quota to justify the offtake of the lion and therefore are liable for the illegal hunt."

The license of the concerned hunter has been suspended while investigations are ongoing.