Cecil the Lion: White House to review petition

The White House has said it will review a petition urging the Obama administration to send the US hunter who killed Cecil the lion to Zimbabwe to face justice.

More than 140,000 signatures have been gathered on the campaign to send Minnesota dentist Walter Palmer to the African country.

Any petition to the White House that attracts over 100,000 names within 30 days requires an official response.

Meanwhile US officials have launched an investigation into the killing of the lion but say they have been unable to reach the American involved.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) said it was “deeply concerned” about the “tragic” death of Cecil the lion.

Director Dan Ashe said they will “go where facts lead” but efforts to reach Walter Palmer have been unsuccessful.

Mr Palmer says he thought the hunt was legal but two Zimbabwean men have been arrested over the popular lion’s death.

The dental practice he runs in Minneapolis has been closed since he was named as the tourist who shot Cecil, Zimbabwe’s most famous lion.

Protesters gathered outside the building on Wednesday, carrying placards saying “Justice for Cecil”, “Trophy hunters are cowards” and “Prosecute poachers”

In a statement released on Thursday, the FWS said: “We are currently gathering facts about the issue and will assist Zimbabwe officials in whatever manner requested.”

“At this point in time, however, multiple efforts to contact Dr Walter Palmer have been unsuccessful,” it said, saying Mr Palmer or his representative should contact them immediately.

“It is up to all of us – not just the people of Africa – to ensure that healthy, wild populations of animals continue to roam the savannah for generations to come,” the statement said.

The whereabouts of Mr Palmer is currently unknown, but he is thought to have returned to the US after Cecil was killed on 1 July.

In a letter to his patients, the dentist said he would assist authorities in Zimbabwe or the US in their inquiries.

He also apologised for the disruption to his practice, saying he was in the news “for reasons that have nothing to do with my profession or the care I provide for you”. Sky News/BBC