US dentist blamed for killing of Cecil the lion in Zimbabwe

The killer of a lion in Zimbabwe has been named as Walter Palmer from Minnesota, who allegedly killed the animal with a crossbow and rifle.

The Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force (ZCTF) said the hunter paid $50,000 to kill Cecil, the country’s most famous lion.

The ZCTF said the lion was later skinned and beheaded. According to the BBC, two Zimbabwean men who were involved face poaching charges because the group did not have a hunting permit.

The men - a professional hunter and a farm owner - could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison in Zimbabwe if they are found guilty. They are due to appear in court on Wednesday.

The Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Authority said it had received the identity of the American tourist from the ZCTF but could not immediately confirm the information.

The 13-year-old lion was a major tourist attraction at the country's famous Hwange National Park.

He is believed to have been killed on 1 July but the carcass was not discovered until a few days later.

The ZCTF said the hunters had used bait to lure him outside Hwange National Park during a night-time pursuit.

Cecil was part of an Oxford University research project and wore a GPS collar.