Now Zimbabwe Wants U.S. to Extradite Cecil the Lion’s Killer for Trial

So much for the people of Zimbabwe and the African country’s government not really giving a damn about Cecil the Lion, who was killed during an illegal hunting trip by Minnesota dentist Walter Palmer.

Reuters is now reporting that the nation’s prosecutor general has initiated the process of issuing an extradition request to the United States government. According to environmental minister Oppah Muchinguri, the formal process will request that the U.S. send Palmer to Zimbabwe to stand trial for poaching.

Muchinguri described Cecil as an “iconic attraction” at Hwange National Park, where Cecil lived and was killed.

“The illegal killing was deliberate,” the 91-year-old minister told reporters at a news conference. “We are appealing to the responsible authorities for his extradition to Zimbabwe so that he can be held accountable for his illegal actions.”

The thing is, this contradicts heavily with the country’s initial reaction to Cecil’s death. When Zimbabwe’s information minister, Prisca Mupfumira was initially asked about Cecil, he answered: “What lion?” Plus, the majority of the country’s own media didn’t cover the Cecil until after he’d already become an international headline.

Even so, combined with the recent White House petition that Obama’s administration will have to respond to, Muchinguri’s announcement means Palmer’s problems aren’t going to subside anytime soon.

[h/t Reuters]
[Image via Facebook]

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