NFT: Story of a Minnesota dentist, who killed a popular lion

Let me start off by first stating that I am not at all opposed to hunting and both a way of life and sport. However, there are times when big game hunting by rich tourists become sadistic. Yes, I understand that these tourism hunting do help with keeping these conservatories funded, but often these animals are older animals, who are more burden than good in the wild. This latest story of the illegal hunting, beheading, and skinning of a well known lion named Cecil isn't one of those stories.

As the latest updates are coming in, a Minnesota based dentist named Walter Palmer was behind the illegal hunting. While he states that he was duped by his guides, he had previously pled guilty to poaching of a black bear several years ago, so he does have a past history of poaching. Not only that, he sounds like a scumbag as he also settled on a sexual harassment suit. Obviously, we know what kind of Internet retribution can be dealt out, and it appears that this asshole is getting some much deserved loving from the Internet.

The truly sad thing is that the death of this pride leader lion may lead to the death of several (maybe even up to a dozen from some reports) cubs as a new alpha male will kill off all of Cecil's cubs. Ugh.

Quote:

A big-game hunter from the Twin Cities acknowledged Tuesday that he killed a beloved lion in Zimbabwe with a bow and arrow, but said he regrets what he did and believed that his guides were leading him on a legal hunt. Walter J. Palmer, 55, of Eden Prairie, a practicing dentist in Bloomington, issued a statement addressing the killing on July 1 of Cecil, which has sparked outrage around the globe. “I hired several professional guides, and they secured all proper permits,” the statement read. “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.” Palmer, who has on his record a conviction for poaching a bear in Wisconsin several years ago, said he has not been contacted by any authorities in Zimbabwe or the U.S. about his killing the lion, but added he will cooperate with investigators. The public relations firm that worked with Palmer on the statement said he was in the Twin Cities on Tuesday.

Link - ( New Window )