The Minnesota hunter whose killing of Cecil the lion in July sparked global anger and said Sunday he was returning to work this week. Walter Palmer, 55, broke his silence and chose to tell his story to the Associated Press and the Minnesota Star Tribune. He denies that he has been hiding but has kept out of the public eye for the past month. The London media broke the story that Palmer was the one who had killed Zimbabwe’s treasured lion.
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One reason Palmer says that he’s been hiding from public view is that his wife and daughter have received threats. He told the Star Tribune, “They’ve been threatened … in the social media … I don’t understand that level of humanity to come after people not involved at all.” Vandals spray painted, “LION Killer” on the garage of the Palmer’s home in Marco Island, Florida.
The 13-year-old lion that had a distinctive black mane and was one of the best known animals that lived in the Hwange National Park. Scientists have been following Cecil’s whereabouts with an electronic tracking device. Cecil was also a favorite among tourists who visited the area.
During a 20-minute controlled interview that was done without cameras or tape recording, Palmer talked about getting back to work and about how hard the ordeal has been on his family, staff, and patients.
The man is a dentist with a practice in suburban Minneapolis said, “I need to get back to treating my patients,” Palmer told the Star Tribune. “My staff and my patients support me, and they want me back. That’s why I’m back. I’ll be coming back this week.”
He was flanked by an attorney, Joe Friedberg, and public relations consultant during the interview. Friedberg said he is only an unpaid consultant because Palmer “doesn’t need a lawyer” until the U.S. or Zimbabwe makes a legal claim, according to the Star Tribune.
Palmer insists that he acted legally while hunting and no one knew that they had a killed an animal that was famous and well-loved to Zimbabwe. Palmer made no comment about whether he would return to Zimbabwe through formal or informal extradition proceedings to answer questions about the safari hunt.
Palmer had initially wounded the lion with a bow and arrow. The hunting party found the hurt lion the next day and killed him with an arrow, according to media reports. Palmer would not say how much he paid for the hunting expedition.
While Palmer has yet to be charged with any crime, members of the hunting party are in trouble with Zimbabwe authorities. The guide, Theo Bronkhorst, and the land owner, Honest Trymore Ndlovu, have been charged with illegal hunting and could go to prison if convicted. Bronkhorst denies any wrongdoing.
Palmer pleaded guilty in 2008 for misleading federal authorities about a bear he killed illegally in Wisconsin. He was put on probation and paid a fine.
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