Zimbabwe to U.S.: Extradite dentist over killing of Cecil the lion

By Faith Karimi, CNN

American dentist says he regrets killing famed lion

American dentist says he regrets killing famed lion 03:47

Story highlights

• Zimbabwe has started the extradition proceedings
• Walter Palmer allegedly paid $50,000 this month to kill the lion with a bow and arrow

(CNN)As outrage grows over the killing of Cecil the lion, Zimbabwe called on the United States to extradite the American dentist who shot the lion this month.

Zimbabwe has started the extradition proceedings, and hopes the U.S. will cooperate, said Oppah Muchinguri, the African nation's environment minister.

Walter Palmer allegedly paid $50,000 this month to kill the lion with a bow and arrow near Hwange national park in western Zimbabwe.

A White House petition requesting that Palmer, who killed the prized lion, be extradited to the African nation to face justice may receive a response from the Obama administration.

The petition needed to receive 100,000 signatures by August 27 to get a response. It had nearly