(Reuters) – The dental practice of a Minnesota hunter whose killing of Zimbabwe’s best-known lion, Cecil, sparked widespread criticism from animal lovers around the world reopened on Monday without him. However, the practice said in a statement, the dentist, Walter Palmer was absent.
The River Bluff Dental practice in a Minneapolis suburb had been closed since late July and became a centre of protests when Palmer, 55, was identified publicly as the hunter who killed Cecil, a well-known 13-year-old rare black-maned lion.
River Bluff Dental said in a statement that declined further explanation: “We are dental professionals committed to serve our patients and clients. Our office is private property, we ask the press to stay off the property and respect the peace of mind of our patients and clients.”
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Palmer, a big game bow hunter, has released a statement in which he said he “deeply regrets” killing a “known, local favourite” lion and believed the hunt was legal. Palmer has received threats. Demonstrators in late July built a small memorial of stuffed animals at the door of his practice and protested, demanding that he be charged and extradited to Zimbabwe. Vandals spray-painted “lion killer” at his Florida vacation home.
Zimbabwe has requested Palmer’s extradition as a “foreign poacher” A professional hunter in Zimbabwe has been charged with breaching hunting rules in connection with the hunt, but has denied any wrongdoing.
