After maiming the poor beast with a crossbow, resulting in a prolonged chase, he finally killed it with a rifle, some 40 hours later. The animal was then skinned and beheaded. The hunters unsuccessfully tried to hide the dead lion's tracking collar, which was part of a university research programme.
Walter Palmer, from Minnesota in the US, is believed to have paid about US$50,000 ($76,000) to kill the much-loved lion from the Hwange National Park on July 1. The Safari Operators Association of Zimbabwe is far from impressed and animal lovers throughout the world are roaring mad.
Palmer "deeply regrets" the incident, claiming that he "had no idea that the lion (given the name Cecil), was a known, local favourite, collared and part of a study until the end of the hunt".
A pathetic response when you hear of the experienced trophy hunter's sorry past.
Palmer is well-known in hunting circles as an expert shot with his bow and arrow, and has travelled across the world in pursuit of leopards, buffalo, rhino, elk, caribou, deer, moose and even a polar bear. His profile boasts a total of 43 kills. Despite claiming that he obtains all the necessary permits and observes the protocols, a very different account of Palmer's past has emerged.
He was convicted in relation to the poaching of a black bear in Wisconsin a few years back and earlier fined for fishing without a licence.
More recently, he paid a huge sum in settlement to a receptionist he allegedly sexually harassed, without admitting guilt. But that's another sordid story.
It would be fair to say that this individual who is obsessed with stalking any creature on four legs is in the cross hairs - now himself a marked man.
In what is described as a "firestorm of global condemnation" via social media, rage is escalating. Lion lovers, animal advocates and hunting haters alike are baying for Palmer's blood.
They want him thrown to the lions or shot, beheaded and skinned in the same way Cecil was treated. OMG, that's a bit of overkill and such threats place those folk in the same callous arena as the hunter himself. Right now I'm nervous, and will confess here in this column about a hunting incident back in my youth and beg for clemency from animal advocates.
Decades ago while strolling through a local golf course in the early evening, I potted a rabbit with my newly acquired .22 rifle. A single bullet straight through the head was all it took. A hole in one you could say.
Death was instant - I swear. Somehow for me, after seeing that poor creature and all that blood, pursuing live game lost its appeal. It's all part of growing up I guess. You've gotta do what you've gotta do. Me, shooting one little bunny - small stuff. The above rampant trophy hunter with 43 kills including bears, lions and the like - big stuff. Walter Palmer, shame on you.
-Brian Holden has lived in Rotorua for most of his life and has been writing his weekly column for 11 years.
