Walter Palmer Closes Practice - The famed killer of Cecil the lion, Minnesota dentist Walter Palmer shut down his dental office after becoming the target of backlash and outrage. Palmer killed the famous lion after a park ranger lured him out of a protective sanctuary in Zimbabwe.
As Walter Palmer closes practice amid the public outcry, it has been revealed that his office has gotten angry phone calls in the past few days. Palmer was forced to refer his patients to other dentists as the firestorm escalated, sending his "valued" patients a letter Tuesday.
As Walter Palmer closes practice, the doctor told his patients he had been in the news "for reasons that have nothing to do with my profession or the care I provide for you". He also described himself a "life-long hunter" who rarely discussed his passion with patients "because it can be a divisive and emotionally charged topic".
Apparently, it wasn't only the angry phone calls and backlash from the public and celebrities which have gotten to the doctor's Bloomington practice. Walter Palmer closes practice amid several death threats as well. Since Zimbabwean officials identified him as the Cecil's killer, activists have searched his contact and business information, family and social media sharing them to the public, who has flooded them with angry comments.
Palmer's website, recently taken offline, received a surge of traffic from angry people. His Yelp page got vitriolic reviews. Even a Facebook page titled "Shame Lion Killer Dr. Walter Palmer and River Bluff Dental" has been set up and has drawn the attention of thousands. Palmer's career was destroyed as he was also scrubbed from industry websites, according to The New York Times.
As Walter Palmer closes practice in Minnesota, people have left stuffed animals and signs on a makeshift memorial for Cecil outside his dental office. On Wednesday, a protest with about 100 people, was also held outside the office. Posters written with "Justice for Cecil", "Trophy hunters are cowards" and "Prosecute poachers" were held by the protesters.
Minneapolis-based Animals Rights Coalition members have reportedly organized the protest to raise animal cruelty awareness.
Palmer already apologized for having killed Cecil the lion, claiming he had no idea of the animal's fame. However, the doctor received no pity as it was also made known that he had paid $50,000 for the "privilege" to hunt down and kill the big cat.
According to the local charity Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force, the money was used to bribe a park ranger to lure Cecil out of sanctuary boundaries using the scent of a dead animal. Palmer shot Cecil with a crossbow, left for injured for 40 hours, then finished off with a rifle. Cecil was beheaded and skinned to become part of Palmer's trophy collection.
Authorities were able to track what happened to Cecil the lion due to a GPS collar fitted for a research by Oxford University. While the hunters tried to destroy the GPS, they failed and were held responsible for Cecil's death, according to the ZCTF.
As Walter Palmer closes practice, more information about his past has surfaced. It has been revealed that he had previous criminal records in poaching. In 2006, he has illegally killed a black bear in Wisconsin. He received a felony conviction in 2008 after admitting that he lied. In 2003, he was also convicted of fishing without a license, a misdemeanour in Otter Tail County, Minnesota.
It remains unclear what penalties Palmer will face after investigation on Cecil the lion, but the two Zimbabwean men who helped Palmer were charged over the Cecil's death. Local police say Palmer may face poaching charges, reported The BBC.
It's possible that Palmer will be getting up to 15 years in a Zimbabwe prison for the killing of Cecil the lion, according to The Inquisitr.
