What we know so far about Cecil the lion's killers

Cecil the Lion was one of the most famous lions in Africa - now his killers are infamous everywhere. Here is what we know so far.

The hunt

Cecil the lion Shot with an arrow, ran in pain 40 hrs, caught, shot w gun (w proud killers Walter Palmer & Theo Bronkhorst) pic.twitter.com/5O9NOmQ8hX

— Philip Schuyler (@FiveRights) July 28, 2015

• Walter James Palmer allegedly paid guides to help him hunt a lion in Zimbabwe.
• Cecil the lion was lured out of the Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe by Walter James Palmer and professional Zimbabwean hunter Theo Bronkhorst according to The Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force.
• They had gone out at night with a spotlight and tied a dead animal to their vehicle to lure Cecil into range.
• Cecil was noted for being really friendly with tourists, to the point of being considered almost semi-domesticated.
• Palmer first used a crossbow, a weapon favoured by poachers for being relatively silent, to shoot Cecil, but the injured lion managed to escape.
• 40 hours later the hunters managed to track the lion down and kill it using a rifle.
• Palmer's guides allegedly tried to destroy Cecil's tracking collar in order to hide the evidence of the killing.
• Hunting lions in Zimbabwe requires a permit - something none of the hunters involved had.
• Theo Bronkhorst and local landowner Honest Ndlovu will appear in court in Victoria Falls today to face poaching charges.
• Palmer claims he thought the hunt was legal.
• Cecil's cubs meanwhile are likely doomed - when another male lion takes over Cecil's pride it will probably kill them.

Walter James Palmer

Heartless lion-killing douchebag #WalterJamesPalmer wants u 2 know he meant 2 kill a different lion. #CecilTheLionpic.twitter.com/2crOGipRie

— Eric (@VeganFutureNow) July 29, 2015

• Is a dentist in Minnesota.
• Is married with two children.
• Has been in trouble with the law regarding poaching before. He pleaded guilty to lying to the US Fish and Wildlife Service about where he killed a black bear in 2008 according to the Daily Mail.
• He was placed on one year's probation and fined $2939, because he had killed the bear in an unlicensed area.
• According to Twin Cities Palmer had previously also been cited for fishing without a license in Otto Tail County in 2003.
• He had also hunted in Zimbabwe before, killing a leopard in 2010.
• The report also states that the Minnesota Board of Dentistry made him pay a former receptionist and patient $127,500 over claims of sexual harassment.
• Palmer had apparently made unwelcome comments about her breasts, while getting grabby with her backside and genitals.
• "Palmer denied the harassment allegations and said he agreed to the settlement to "conclude the matter quickly and efficiently," according to the agreement. He was required to pass a jurisprudence exam and complete an ethics course," Twin Cities reports.

Theo Bronkhorst

I hope Theo Bronkhorst his sons Zane and Jason and his wife Michelle will get their Karma returned to them soon. pic.twitter.com/g9cFN7uGGz

— Criticus Interruptus (@cinterruptus) July 28, 2015

• Founded Bushman Safaris in 1992, which he runs with his family.
• According to the Telegraph Bronkhorst claims he reported "the mistake" to the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority the following day.
• He is now facing criminal charges, because neither he nor the owner of the land Cecil was shot on had a permit to shoot a lion.
• "Efforts are being made to interview the other professional hunter, Zane Bronkhorst, licence number 558, who was also involved in the illegal hunt," according to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.

Honest Ndlovu

Zimbabwean names paa de3. "Honest Trymore Ndlovu" is really up there lol. Mind you, I've met a slightly lecherous man named Innocent.

— Kwɛku Kelly (@KSavvage) July 29, 2015

• Owns the land where Cecil was killed.
• According to Zim Eye he is a "Mugabe farmer".