Justice for Cecil the Lion
Filed Complaint with the Minnesota Board of Dentistry
In 2015, the Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a complaint with the Minnesota Board of Dentistry seeking investigation of Walter James Palmer, the dentist who admitted to killing and butchering Cecil the lion.
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In 2015, animal lovers all over the world were horrified to learn that American dentist Walter James Palmer paid $50,000 to kill Cecil the lion in Zimbabwe, so he could mount Cecil’s head on his wall in Minnesota.
According to reports, Palmer and his hunting party unscrupulously lured Cecil out of the sanctuary where he’d safely lived. They stalked 13-year-old Cecil for 40 hours before killing, beheading, and skinning the lion, in possible violation of U.S. and international wildlife protection laws.
Soon after the gruesome and upsetting details of what happened to Cecil came to light, the Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a complaint about Palmer with the Minnesota Board of Dentistry. We sought an investigation into whether Palmer violated Minnesota’s standards of professional conduct for dentists, which prohibit “gross immorality” and “conduct unbecoming a person licensed to practice dentistry.”
Palmer kept his dental license, though his dental practice is said to have suffered for a time due to the public outrage over his killing of Cecil.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund continues to fight for stronger wildlife protection laws, and stronger enforcement of existing laws.
Learn more about Animal Legal Defense Fund’s Stop the Hunt campaign.
Recent News
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Animal Legal Defense Fund Petitions to Revoke Dental License of Cecil the Lion’s Killer
Animal Legal Defense Fund files complaint seeking Minnesota board of dentistry investigation of Walter James Palmer.August 5, 2015 Press Release -
Legally Brief: The Cruel Mechanics of Cecil’s Agonizing Death
In June of this year, Walter Palmer, a Minnesota dentist, paid $50,000 to a professional hunting guide in Zimbabwe. Palmer later claimed that he believed this fee would give him the legal right to kill an…
September 1, 2015 Legally Brief -
Lawsuit Filed Against Tiger Creek for Violating Endangered Species Act
The lawsuit alleges federally endangered and threatened animals such as the tigers, lions, and ring-tailed lemurs are receiving inadequate care at Tiger CreekMarch 16, 2022 Press Release
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Challenging Tiger Creek for Violating the Endangered Species Act
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Opposing Feld Entertainment’s Tiger Export
Animal Legal Defense Fund objects to Feld Entertainment being granted an ESA permit in 2017
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