Dentist who killed lion sends letter to patients explaining actions
Walter Palmer, the dentist who was heavily criticized for his killing of a well-known lion in Zimbabwe, sent a letter to his patients in regards to the situation.
Palmer has been at the center of the media spotlight this week after the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force, the Safari Operators Association of Zimbabwe and police charged the dentist with the killing of Cecil the lion.
Palmer sent the following letter to patients at his practice in Bloomington, Minn. on July 28:
Wednesday, Safari Club International announced it had suspended Palmer and his guide pending an investigation into Cecil's killing.
"Safari Club International condemns unlawful and unethical hunting practices," the group said in a statement. "SCI supports only legal hunting practices and those who comply with all applicable hunting rules and regulations, and SCI believes that those who intentionally take wildlife illegally should be prosecuted and punished to the maximum extent allowed by law."
The Facebook page for Palmer's dentistry office was taken offline on Tuesday after being flooded with negative comments. The Yelp page for Palmer's office also received a heavy amount of negative reviews after news broke of his killing of the lion.
Palmer also released the following statement on Tuesday morning after criticism poured in over his killing of the lion.
Jimmy Kimmel also criticized Palmer on his show on Tuesday night, calling the dentist's actions "vomitous."
Authorities in Zimbabwe say that Palmer is being sought on charges, but the dentist says that he hasn't been contacted by U.S. or Zimbabwean officials, according to the Associated Press.
