Cecil lion hunter set to return to dental clinic (Photo : REUTERS/ERIC MILLER)
Trophy hunter and Minnesota dentist Walter Palmer who killed famed lion Cecil has emerged after being away from the public eye for more than a month and has defiantly disputed aspects of the killing while claiming he was never in hiding.
The hunter sparked huge global outrage over the brutal killing of Zimbabwe's treasured lion in July. The lion was part of an Oxford University study and had been fitted with a GPS collar.
Palmer's practice was forcefully shutdown owing to protests and social media rampage over his actions. The clinic opened its doors a month back to patients without Palmer reporting to work at the center.
Having become the target of threats in person and online, Palmer said that he plans to return to his practice this week and continued to maintain that his actions were legal, according to ABC News.
In addition, Palmer disputed accounts by wildlife conservationist that the wounded lion was finished off with a gun. He said he tracked down the lion the next day and killed it with an arrow.
During the interview, Palmer said he is "heartbroken" for the disruption to the work at the clinic but added confidently that his patients and staff still want him to return to work.
According to the Express, the hunter refused to reveal his whereabouts during the past six weeks or speak about security measures he had taken. He said he had been out of the public eye, but he was not hiding. He said he was with family and friends and "location is not important."
During the interview, he said the past few weeks had been difficult for his wife and daughter who he said felt threatened. He added that he did not understand the outpouring of concern and humanity "to come after people (had) not (been) involved at all."
While Palmer has many big-game kills under his belt he is reported to have paid thousands of dollars for the recent hunt in Zimbabwe.
It is reported in 2008, he pleaded guilty to making false claims regarding a black bear that he hunted and shot outside an authorized hunting ground.
