~!~ Cecil the lion the most famous creature in one of Zimbabwe*s national parks was killed by an American hunter who has boasted about shooting a menagerie of animals with his bow and arrow, The Telegraph can reveal//(ukcanadaus)
~!~ Walter James Palmer, a dentist from Minnesota, is believed to have paid £35,000 to shoot and kill the much loved lion with a bow and arrow// The animal was shot on July 1 in Hwange National Park// Two independent sources have confirmed the hunter*s identity to the paper, which has also seen a copy of the relevant hunting permit//Conservation groups in Zimbabwe reacted angrily to the news that the 13 year old animal had been killed: partly because the lion was known to visitors and seemingly enjoyed human contact, and partly because of the way in which he was killed// He was lured out of the national park and shot//(ukcanadaus)
~!~ **He never bothered anybody,** said Johnny Rodrigues, the head of Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force// **He was one of the most beautiful animals to look at//**A spokesman for Mr Palmer said that the hunter believed he may have shot the lion//
**As far as I understand, Walter believes that he might have shot that lion that has been referred to as Cecil,** the spokesman said//Cecil was a popular attraction among visitors to the Hwange National Park (AFP) (ukcanadaus)
~!~ **What he*ll tell you is that he had the proper legal permits and he had hired several professional guides, so he*s not denying that he may be the person who shot this lion// He is a big game hunter; he hunts the world over//**
**It was a magnificent, mature lion// We did not know it was well known lion// I had a licence for my client to shoot a lion with a bow and arrow in the area where it was shot,** he said//(ukcanadaus)
~!~ Mr Rodrigues said the authorities in Zimbabwe were troubled by events//
**There*s considerable embarrassment about this the Americans have banned the import of elephant trophies,** he said// **We believe the head and pelt are still in Bulawayo//
**They should be charged with poaching,** he said// **If you*re a local and you kill an animal without a licence you get between two and five years in prison//**(ukcanadaus)
~!~ Mr Palmer, the client, describes himself as coming from North Dakota and having **a unique talent for creating dazzling smiles that complement each individuals tooth structure, skin tone, and facial attributes//** A request for comment left with his office had not yet been returned on Tuesday//
His website states that: **Anything allowing him to stay active and observe and photograph wildlife is where you will find Dr Palmer when he not in the office//**(ukcanadaus)
~!~ He also has a well documented fondness for shooting wild animals around the globe//Mr Palmer with a leopard, shot in Zimbabwe in 2010
**He came to Spain to hunt with us four or five years ago,** said Guiseppe Carrizosa, a professional hunter based in Madrid// Mr Carrizosa told The Telegraph that Mr Palmer and his wife travelled to Europe to shoot chamois, fallow deer and ibex, among other animals// Mr Palmer*s reputation is such that he was listed as a client on Mr Carrizosa*s website, to publicise the tours//(ukcanadaus)