On 28th July 2015, an American dentist Walter Palmer is a suspect of criminally killing the Lion after attracting him to get out from a Zimbabwean game reserve. The Associated Press issued a statement that an American dentist Dr. Walter Palmer is suspect in killing a most famous Zimbabwean Cecil Lion in the Hwange National park which is a free roaming zone for wildlife. It is also said that Walter Palmer is arrested by the Zimbabwean Wildlife authorities as a hunter for killing the Cecil Lion. Authorities further added that they are looking for charges to the dentist Walter Palmer against the illegal activity of killing a most precious the Cecil Lion.
According to the statement by the suspect Palmer, “We arranged a bow hunting trip for big game in Zimbabwe in the first quarter of July 2015 and we hired a number of professional guides with all secured and proper permits. Everything was legal and managed properly in any aspect. But I had no idea that targeted Lion is a famous Cecil Lion. I was relying on our hired local professional guides for a legal hunt, and considered that they will assist us for a legal hunt.
The Zimbabwe Parks & Wildlife Management is considered as the regulatory authority regarding all Zimbabwean wildlife animals and is responsible for issuance of permits for hunting and quotas for specified hunting areas in Zimbabwe and allows hunting for specified animals on quota. So, the Zimbabwe Parks & Wildlife Management Authority also filed for charges against two local hunters Zane Bronkhorst License No, 558 and Theo Bronkhorst License No. 553, who provided assistance to Palmer.