Extradition for lion killer being sought

Dentist called ‘foreign poacher’ as outrage spreads.

Zimbabwe will seek the extradition of an American dentist who killed a lion that was lured out of a national park, causing international outrage,

HARARE, ZIMBABWE — Zimbabwe will seek the extradition of an American dentist who killed a lion that was lured out of a national park and caused international outrage, a Cabinet minister said Friday.

In the Zimbabwean government’s first official comment on the killing of Cecil the lion, the environment, water and climate minister lashed out at Walter James Palmer, accusing him even of trying to hurt Zimbabwe’s image.

“Unfortunately it was too late to apprehend the foreign poacher, as he had already absconded to his country of origin,” Oppah Muchinguri told a news conference. “We are appealing to the responsible authorities for his extradition to Zimbabwe so that he be made accountable.”

On Tuesday, Palmer issued a statement saying he relied on his guides to ensure the hunt was legal. Two Zimbabweans — a professional hunter and a farm owner — have been arrested in the killing of the lion, an act which has garnered worldwide condemnation. Palmer has kept a low profile, but on Friday U.S. federal wildlife authorities said they had been contacted by a representative of the Minnesota dentist.

The killing of Cecil gained global attention as the U.N. General Assembly unanimously adopt- ed a resolution Thursday aimed at combating illegal wildlife trafficking and poaching, the culmination of a two-year campaign led by Gabon and Germany.

“We very much welcome the decision by the General Assembly, which will help in the protection of wildlife, of fauna and flora,” Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said.

Palmer is believed to have shot the lion with a bow on July 1 outside Hwange National Park, after it was lured onto private land with a carcass of an animal laid out on a car, Zimbabwean conservationists have said. Some 40 hours later, the wounded cat was tracked down and Palmer allegedly killed it with a gun, they said.

“There has been an outcry,” Muchinguri said. “Almost 500,000 people are calling for his extradition and we need this support. We want him tried in Zimbabwe because he violated our laws.”

She did not explain the 500,000 but there are online petitions demanding Palmer’s extradition.

TNS Source: AP