Zimbabwe want killer of Cecil the lion extradited

The American dentist who killed Cecil the lion a month ago in Zimbabwe had financed an illegal hunt and should be extradited to the southern African nation to face justice, environment minister Oppah Muchinguri said on Friday.

In a news conference, Muchinguri referred to 55-year-old Walter Palmer as a "foreign poacher" and said she understood the Prosecutor-General had started the process to have him extradited from the United States.

"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."

According to AP, on Tuesday, American hunter Walter James Palmer issued a statement saying he relied on his guides to ensure the hunt was legal.