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Cecil hunter Walter Palmer 'wanted to kill an elephant after killing the lion'
Source: UK Telegraph
9:00PM BST 30 Jul 2015
Walter Palmer, the Minnesota dentist who shot dead Cecil the lion in Zimbabwe, asked to kill a massive elephant after shooting the protected animal – but was unable to find one sufficiently large enough, his guide has exclusively told The Telegraph.
.....
“I could not have seen the collar at night. We would never shoot a collared animal. I was devastated, and so was the client, we were both upset, and I panicked and took it off and put it in a tree.
“I should have taken it to Parks [the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlfe Management Authority], I admit that. So we did what had to be done. We took the head and skin, as the client had paid for the trophy.
.....
“We then went back to my place near Hwange. The client asked if we would find him an elephant larger than 63 pounds, (the weight of one tusk) which is a very large elephant, but I told him I would not be able to find one so big, so the client left the next day and went to Bulawayo for the night and then flew out (to Johannesburg) midday the following day.
“He was only here for a few days. He shot the lion he wanted to shoot, he paid for the trophy, which is the skull and skin. I took it to Bulawayo where we were curing it, prior to it going to a taxidermist for export to the US where it would be assembled and mounted. They do that better there then we do it here.”
Read more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/zimbabwe/11773653/Cecil-hunter-Walter-Palmer-wanted-to-kill-an-elephant-after-killing-the-lion.html
So, Walter Palmer was 'devastated', but then turned right around and asked the hunting guide to find an elephant with tusks 'larger than 63 pounds' for him to kill.
This cowardly assassin deserves every bit of harsh punishment that is surely coming his way.
He should be extradited to Zimbabwe to answer for murdering this protected animal.
Because "they do that better there then we do it here.”
102 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
Robme voter ya know? 
why did they bury the collar? Why is Bwana Palmer hiding?
'Devastated'?! 
It sounds like they're getting some pr advice.
This is sickening beyond belief.
“It was a magnificent, mature lion.."
Poor Cecil.
the poor thing 
..... and then proceed to say "We would never shoot a collared animal.", you are a flat out liar, Mr. Bronkhorst. Professional guides who can't see collar at night, and who mean what they when they say they "would never shoot a collared animal", don't accept $55,000, make a deal with a landowner next to the national park, drag bait behind a truck to lure to lure the most famous and most easily identified and widely known black-maned, protected lion in Zimbabwe onto private land, where your $55,000 client can silently shoot him under lights.
And when you said "you did what had to be done", you didn't mention that intead of getting park and veterinary help to rescue the wounded collared,protected animal you realized your client had illegally wounded, you tracked him down for 40 hours, and illegally killed the wounded animal, then attempted to destroy the tracking device, then illegally stole the skin and head from the animal that everyone realized was illegally killed.
You are a scumbag criminal Mr. Bronkhorst, as is your client. Your Safari Club was quick to kick both of you out of the club.
But what you both deserve is prison.
I wonder why 
Response to passiveporcupine (Reply #18)
The two seemed to have quite a bond, Cecil and Jericho. I am sure Jericho misses his brother. 
From stories I am reading, Jericho is now trying to defend both prides. I hope he is successful.
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how could he kill an elephant in his state of distress?
From the article in the Telegraph:
Professional Zimbabwean hunter Theo Bronkhorst leaving the Magistrate's Court in Hwange (AFP)
Mr Bronkhorst started his hunting business after being violently evicted from his 1,269-hectare game farm, Southcum, near Kwekwe, in central Zimbabwe, as part of the Mugabe government’s land grab.
“I don’t want to shoot any animals. I do it because it is the only way I can earn a living,” said Mr Bronkhorst, who is married with two grown-up sons.
“I am a farmer. But I lost my farm in 2000 and I am forced to hunt, but have only done so five times in the last year. I like to lead a quiet life. I like breeding game, and am presently trying to increase the number of sable in Zimbabwe, which I am importing from Zambia.”
“I don’t want to shoot any animals. I do it because it is the only way I can earn a living,” said Mr Bronkhorst, who is married with two grown-up sons.
“I am a farmer. But I lost my farm in 2000 and I am forced to hunt, but have only done so five times in the last year. I like to lead a quiet life. I like breeding game, and am presently trying to increase the number of sable in Zimbabwe, which I am importing from Zambia.”
This tragic story of Cecil has coalesced the many threads of corruption that are interwoven between the African continent and wealthy Western oligarchs. The stories of perpetual poverty; injustice; land theft; resource theft; habitat destruction; farmland confiscation; massive land-clearing for large-scale farms to raise beef for Western appetites; slave labor in mineral mines; toxic waste dumping into waterways; hunting of prized and rare animals; illegal trade in animal flesh and bone; bribery of government officials... it is an ongoing travesty. And people in high positions of power look the other way.
Until the world's conscience puts a stop to the oligarchs who are stealing from us in every corner of the world, it will continue unabated.
And it feels as if the world's people are ready to make that step.
Last edited Fri Jul 31, 2015, 05:09 PM - Edit history (1)
Daily Mail, July 31st 2015 2PMIt is a question the Fish and Wildlife Service would very much like answered and soon, as it emerged they were investigating whether the killing of Cecil was part of a conspiracy to violate a U.S. law against illegal wildlife trading.
The service said they are investigating the hunt under the Lacey Act, a U.S. law that bars trading in wildlife that has been illegally killed, transported or sold.
.....
This comes as the petition to extradite Dr, Palmer to Zimbabwe exceeded the required 100,000 signatures, and the White House confirmed it will respond to all petitions that meet that level.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said it is up to the Justice Department to respond to an extradition order, raising the possibility that Dr. Palmer would be sent to Zimbabwe, should the African nation make a formal request.
edited to add: (It is reported today that Zimbabwe is preparing a formal request.)
And while Dr. Palmer is adamant he knowingly acted within the law and paid $55,000 for a legal permit to kill a lion, Zimbabwe has charged one of his two guides with poaching.
The service said they are investigating the hunt under the Lacey Act, a U.S. law that bars trading in wildlife that has been illegally killed, transported or sold.
.....
This comes as the petition to extradite Dr, Palmer to Zimbabwe exceeded the required 100,000 signatures, and the White House confirmed it will respond to all petitions that meet that level.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said it is up to the Justice Department to respond to an extradition order, raising the possibility that Dr. Palmer would be sent to Zimbabwe, should the African nation make a formal request.
edited to add: (It is reported today that Zimbabwe is preparing a formal request.)
And while Dr. Palmer is adamant he knowingly acted within the law and paid $55,000 for a legal permit to kill a lion, Zimbabwe has charged one of his two guides with poaching.
Pursuit of the Lacey Act is also noted here:
Palmer’s actions could have violated the U.S. Lacey Act, a conservation law meant to shield animals from harm. The act, tied to a United Nations treaty for the protection of animals, governs the actions of Americans who violate the laws of foreign governments.
Grace also said the State Department is looking into the matter in Africa. Officials at the State Department did not respond to a request to confirm that information. The three agencies often work closely to investigate crimes against wildlife, often involving the poaching of elephants and rhinoceros throughout southern Africa.
Most recently, they combined forces to investigate Out of Africa Adventurous Safaris in Montgomery, Ala., which led to charges last year for Lacey Act violations, conspiracy, mail fraud, selling illegal rhinoceros hunts not sanctioned by the government and illegally trading rhinoceros horn, which can bring up to $45,000 per pound.
Grace also said the State Department is looking into the matter in Africa. Officials at the State Department did not respond to a request to confirm that information. The three agencies often work closely to investigate crimes against wildlife, often involving the poaching of elephants and rhinoceros throughout southern Africa.
Most recently, they combined forces to investigate Out of Africa Adventurous Safaris in Montgomery, Ala., which led to charges last year for Lacey Act violations, conspiracy, mail fraud, selling illegal rhinoceros hunts not sanctioned by the government and illegally trading rhinoceros horn, which can bring up to $45,000 per pound.
Meanwhile, the hunt for Walter Palmer expands.
Nobody home: Since he was identified as the killer of Cecil the lion on Tuesday, Dr. Walter Palmer or his family have not been seen at his Eden Prarie, Minneapolis home
House sitting? A unidentified man arrives at Dr. Palmer's Minneapolis home on Thursday as the wait continues for the reviled dentist to surface
The man collects the mail from the Palmer residence. It was the first sign of life at the Minneapolis mansion since the identity of Cecil's killer was confirmed on Tuesday
Not at the office:
Closed for business: Dr. Palmer's dental practice abruptly closed on Tuesday morning - patients were even turned away so sudden was the decision
Not at his Florida home:
Quiet: The Marco Island home of Dr. Walter Palmer is unoccupied in Florida. The dentist is facing calls from federal agencies to contact them immediately
A news crew with WINK news of Fort Myers wraps up a live shoot outside a house owned by dentist Dr. Walter Palmer on Marco Island, Florida, on Wednesday
Zimbabwe’s top wildlife regulator said this week that the kill was illegal because Bronkhorst, the guide, lacked the proper hunting permit for a lion kill for 2015. The charge was repeated by prosecutors at his hearing on Wednesday.
Zimbabwean authorities confirmed on Friday that they will seek the extradition of an American dentist who killed a lion that was lured out of a national park and shot with a bow and a gun.
Zimbabwe's wildlife minister says extradition is being sought for Walter J. Palmer, the Twin Cities big-game hunter and dentist implicated in the killing of Cecil, a prized research lion in Zimbabwe.
Oppah Muchinguri, environment, water and climate minister, told a news conference Friday: "We want him tried in Zimbabwe because he violated our laws. ... Police should take the first step to approach the prosecutor general who will approach the Americans. The processes have already started."
"Unfortunately it was too late to apprehend the foreign poacher as he had already absconded to his country of origin," Muchinguri said. "We are appealing to the responsible authorities for his extradition to Zimbabwe so that he be made accountable."
Muchinguri noted the worldwide attention the case has received.
"There has been an outcry," she said. "Almost 500,000 people are calling for his extradition and we need this support."
Zimbabwe's wildlife minister says extradition is being sought for Walter J. Palmer, the Twin Cities big-game hunter and dentist implicated in the killing of Cecil, a prized research lion in Zimbabwe.
Oppah Muchinguri, environment, water and climate minister, told a news conference Friday: "We want him tried in Zimbabwe because he violated our laws. ... Police should take the first step to approach the prosecutor general who will approach the Americans. The processes have already started."
"Unfortunately it was too late to apprehend the foreign poacher as he had already absconded to his country of origin," Muchinguri said. "We are appealing to the responsible authorities for his extradition to Zimbabwe so that he be made accountable."
Muchinguri noted the worldwide attention the case has received.
"There has been an outcry," she said. "Almost 500,000 people are calling for his extradition and we need this support."
Separately on Thursday, the head of Zimbabwe’s safari industry association told the Star Tribune that he believes bribery was involved in the hunt because Palmer’s guide did not have proper hunting licenses and permits.
“There had to be [bribes],” said Emmanuel Fundira, president of Zimbabwe’s Safari Operators Association. “The documents which they used for carrying out the hunt were all illegal and fraudulently obtained.”
“There had to be [bribes],” said Emmanuel Fundira, president of Zimbabwe’s Safari Operators Association. “The documents which they used for carrying out the hunt were all illegal and fraudulently obtained.”
There is video of Oppah Muchinguri, environment, water and climate minister in Zimbabwe at the link.
An additional quote from her:
“As we frantically try to protect our wildlife from organized gangs such as this one, there are people… who can connive to undermine Zimbabwean laws. One can conclude with confidence that Dr Palmer, being an American citizen, had a well-orchestrated agenda which would tarnish the image of Zimbabwe and further strain the relationship between Zimbabwe and the USA.”
Turn on the TV, Mr. Palmer. You are hunted, just as methodically as you stalked, lured and murdered your defenseless prey.
Words cannot express the revulsion the world's people have for you.
The exact nature of the U.S. investigation remains unclear. African lions are not listed under the core U.S. wildlife protection statute, the Endangered Species Act. A second law, which bans the import of wildlife killed under illegal circumstances, would not come into play because Palmer did not try to bring the lion’s carcass home, lawyers say. A third U.S. statute forbids bribery of foreign officials by Americans traveling overseas, but attorneys said this week it’s not clear if that law would come into play.
We don't yet know that Palmer didn't bring some body part of that lion back into the U. S.
Unlawful poaching of big game is illegal in both the U. S. and Zimbabwe.
We must find Walter Palmer.
(via WP)
Professional Zimbabwean hunter Theo Bronkhorst leaving the Magistrate's Court in Hwange (AFP)
Speaking for the first time since this newspaper revealed that Dr Palmer had fired the arrow that felled the much-loved lion, Theo Bronkhorst has given a detailed account of the July 1 hunt which, he said, went wrong from the start.
On Wednesday, Mr Bronkhorst appeared before magistrates in Hwange, north-western Zimbabwe, and was remanded on bail. He is forbidden from continuing with his hunting business, which he has run since 1992, and has been left devastated by the international fury directed at him since Cecil’s death.
His account of how Cecil came to be killed suggests there was confusion from the outset of Dr Palmer’s trip.
“This hunt… Oh no, it went wrong from the beginning,” Mr Bronkhorst said, speaking from his home in Zimbabwe’s second city of Bulawayo.
“When Dr Palmer arrived in Bulawayo, his luggage was missing and I was dashing around looking for it. So we were late getting ready to go,” he said.
“And we were never meant to hunt on the land where this lion was shot. At the last minute I had to divert from a concession (hunting area) about eight miles away.”
On Wednesday, Mr Bronkhorst appeared before magistrates in Hwange, north-western Zimbabwe, and was remanded on bail. He is forbidden from continuing with his hunting business, which he has run since 1992, and has been left devastated by the international fury directed at him since Cecil’s death.
His account of how Cecil came to be killed suggests there was confusion from the outset of Dr Palmer’s trip.
“This hunt… Oh no, it went wrong from the beginning,” Mr Bronkhorst said, speaking from his home in Zimbabwe’s second city of Bulawayo.
“When Dr Palmer arrived in Bulawayo, his luggage was missing and I was dashing around looking for it. So we were late getting ready to go,” he said.
“And we were never meant to hunt on the land where this lion was shot. At the last minute I had to divert from a concession (hunting area) about eight miles away.”
(emphasis added)
That is a critically important detail, imho.
It could explain the discrepancy as to Mr Bronkhorst's insistence that he had all the proper permits, yet, the authorities vehemently state he did not have the necessary permits to hunt where this lion was shot. If, at the last minute, Walter Palmer decided he wanted to go to a different location to hunt, other than the properly permitted location, and pressured or bribed Mr. Bronkhorst to change the venue, then that would be a whole new ball game.
Also from the UK Telegraph:
Mr Bronkhorst started his hunting business after being violently evicted from his 1,269-hectare game farm, Southcum, near Kwekwe, in central Zimbabwe, as part of the Mugabe government’s land grab.
“I don’t want to shoot any animals. I do it because it is the only way I can earn a living,” said Mr Bronkhorst, who is married with two grown-up sons.
“I am a farmer. But I lost my farm in 2000 and I am forced to hunt, but have only done so five times in the last year. I like to lead a quiet life. I like breeding game, and am presently trying to increase the number of sable in Zimbabwe, which I am importing from Zambia.”
“I don’t want to shoot any animals. I do it because it is the only way I can earn a living,” said Mr Bronkhorst, who is married with two grown-up sons.
“I am a farmer. But I lost my farm in 2000 and I am forced to hunt, but have only done so five times in the last year. I like to lead a quiet life. I like breeding game, and am presently trying to increase the number of sable in Zimbabwe, which I am importing from Zambia.”
I hope Mr. Bronkhorst continues to tell this story.
