To support conspiracy charges, the government would likely be reviewing money transfers, phone calls and other correspondence, seeking evidence that Palmer had made plans to bring body parts into the United States, said the source close to the case. The Fish and Wildlife Service has been investigating whether Palmer conspired to bring parts into the country, the source close to the case told Reuters. Over time it has been expanded and it now prohibits the import, export, sale, acquisition, or purchase of animals protected by U.S. states enforce their hunting regulations. The Justice Department said it would not comment on whether the case could be formally prosecuted until the wildlife agency concludes its investigation. But legal experts say the case may be difficult to prosecute because the law has rarely, if ever, applied to hunters who do not import parts of the animals they kill.
Last week, the agency said it was contacted by a representative of Palmer, but provided no additional details.Ī source close to the probe said the agency was looking for possible violations of the Lacey Act. Fish and Wildlife Service said on Tuesday that its probe is continuing, but did not comment further. A government minister in the African country has called him a “foreign poacher” and said he should be extradited. Palmer, who has said he “deeply regrets” killing Cecil, has not been charged in Zimbabwe. Walter Palmer, a Minnesota dentist, has admitted to killing the lion, but has said through a publicist he thought the hunt was legal. The killing last month of 13-year-old Cecil, a rare black-maned lion, sparked international outrage among animal lovers. Cecil the lion is seen at Hwange National Parks in this undated handout picture received July 31, 2015.
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