Gallery: In this undated photo provided by the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Cecil the lion rests in Hwange National Park, in Hwange, Zimbabwe. Two Zimbabweans arrested for illegally hunting a lion appeared in court Wednesday.
Gallery: In this photo taken Nov. 9, 2014 photographer Brent Stapelkamp, front right, with colleagues in the Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. Stapelkamp, a lion researcher and part of a team that had tracked and studied Cecil the lion for nine years darted him and attached a collar last year. He was probably the last person to get up close before Minnesota dentist Walter Palmer killed the now-famous lion with the bushy black mane and, aided by a Zimbabwean professional hunter, cut off its head and skin for trophies.
Gallery: Cecil the lion stands with his pride on the plains in Hwange National Park on Nov. 18, 2012 in Zimbabwe. In July 2015, an American dentist named W. Palmer killed Cecil the lion with a bow and arrow during an illegal hunt in Zimbabwe. The country wants him extradited to face charges. (Paula French/Zuma Press/TNS) ORG XMIT: 1171651
Gallery: Kristen Hall led the group of protestors from Animal Rights Coalition and Minnesota Animal Liberation in chants in front of Dr. Palmer's dental practice.
Gallery: Protestors left more signs and stuffed animals in front of Dr. Palmer's dental practice.
Gallery: Rachel Augusta led a group of protestors from Animal Rights Coalition and Minnesota Animal Liberation gathered in front of Dr. Palmer's dental practice.
Gallery: Quinn Madison, 5, came to the animal rights protest dressed as a lion. The protest is outside the River Bluff Dental, owned by Dr. Walter Palmer who is accused of killing Cecil a beloved lion in Zimbabwe. , Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Gallery: Protestors left more signs and stuffed animals in front of Dr. Palmer's dental practice.
Gallery: Blooming Police K-9 explosives detection team checked out a side entrance to River Bluff Dental in Bloomington, owned by Dr. Walter Palmer who is accused of killing Cecil a beloved lion in Zimbabwe.
Gallery: Hayley Hoppe, right, brought her daughters Piper, 10 and Paisley, 8 to River Bluff Dental when they felt they wanted to do something about the killing of Cecil the lion on July 29, 2015 in Bloomington, Minn.
Gallery: Stuffed animals placed in front of River Bluff Dental in Bloomington, owned by Dr. Walter Palmer who is accused of killing Cecil a beloved lion in Zimbabwe.
Gallery: Blooming Police K-9 explosives detection team checked out a side entrance to River Bluff Dental in Bloomington, owned by Dr. Walter Palmer who is accused of killing Cecil a beloved lion in Zimbabwe.
Gallery: Animal right protestor Wanda Palmer (no relation to Dr. Palmer) told fellow protestor Josh Chapa it was "wrong to wish any human being to rot in hell, even someone as awful as Dr. Palmer.
Gallery: Artist Mark Balma painted a huge mural of Cecil in Dr. Walter Palmer's parking lot. Bala went to school here in the Twin Cities and was visiting friends when he decided to come down for a "silent protest" He also painted the frescoes at the University of St. Thomas Law School. He hopes to sell the painting to raise money for wildlife preservation efforts.
Gallery: Artist Mark Balma painted a huge mural of Cecil in Dr. Walter Palmer's parking lot. Bala went to school here in the Twin Cities and was visiting friends when he decided to come down for a "silent protest" He also painted the frescoes at the University of St. Thomas Law School. He hopes to see the painting to raise money for wildlife preservation efforts.
Gallery: Piper Hoppe, 10, straightened out a stuffed lion placed in front of River Bluff Dental in Bloomington, the dental practice of Dr. Walter Palmer who killed Cecil, a beloved lion in Zimbabwe.
![A sign posted on the door at River Bluff Dental in Bloomington, Minn., on Tuesday, July 28, 2015. River Bluff Dental owner Dr. Walter Palmer has gotten criticism over the sport killing of a beloved lion in Zimbabwe named "Cecil." ] RENEE JONES SCHNEIDER ï reneejones@startribune.com ORG XMIT: MIN1507281952230797](http://stmedia.startribune.com/images/329*450/ows_143822533771656.jpg)
Gallery: A sign posted on the door at River Bluff Dental in Bloomington, Minn., on Tuesday, July 28, 2015. River Bluff Dental owner Dr. Walter Palmer has gotten criticism over the sport killing of a beloved lion in Zimbabwe named "Cecil." ] RENEE JONES SCHNEIDER ï reneejones@startribune.com ORG XMIT: MIN1507281952230797
Gallery: Theodro Bronkhorst, right, a professional hunter, arrives for his appearance at the magistrates courts in Hwange about 700 kilometres south west of Harare, Wednesday, July 29, 2015. Bronkhorst who was granted $1000 bail has been charged with failure to prevent an unlawful hunt that resulted in the killing of Cecil the lion by Minnesota dentist, Walter James Palmer, in Zimbabwe.
Gallery: Theodro Bronkhorst, a professional hunter, arrives for his appearance at the magistrates courts in Hwange about 700 kilometres south west of Harare, Wednesday, July 29, 2015. Bronkhorst who was granted $1000 bail has been charged with failure to prevent an unlawful hunt that resulted in the killing of Cecil the lion by Minnesota dentist, Walter James Palmer, in Zimbabwe.
Gallery: Farm owner Honest Trymore Ndlovu appears at Hwange magistrates' court to face poaching charges, about 435 miles (700 kilometers) west of the capital Harare, Wednesday, July, 29, 2015.
The following statement was issued by Eden Prairie dentist Walter Palmer on Tuesday regarding the allegations that he illegally killed a beloved lion in Zimbabwe on July 1.
Statement of Dr. Walter Palmer
July 28, 2015
"In early July, I was in Zimbabwe on a bow hunting trip for big game. I hired several professional guides and they secured all proper permits. To my knowledge, everything about this trip was legal and properly handled and conducted.
"I had no idea that the lion I took was a known, local favorite, was collared and part of a study until the end of the hunt. I relied on the expertise of my local professional guides to ensure a legal hunt.
"I have not been contacted by authorities in Zimbabwe or in the U.S. about this situation, but will assist them in any inquiries they may have.
"Again, I deeply regret that my pursuit of an activity I love and practice responsibly and legally resulted in the taking of this lion."
Read more:
U.S. authorities to assist Zimbabwe's investigation
What we know about Walter Palmer
Longtime acquaintance defends lion hunter as 'very bright, honorable guy'
Minnesota dentist thought he was acting legally at lion hunt
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