INQUISITR.COM / News & Politics

Ted Nugent Defends Dentist Who Killed Cecil The Lion, Sounds Off On ‘Stupid’ Protesters

By Meaghan Ellis
Published on: 06:36 PST, Jul 30, 2015

Ted Nugent was recently asked to give his opinion on the highly publicized death of Cecil the lion. So, of course, Nugent gave an epic response with a pro-hunting argument that only he could give. According to the Daily Mail, he has offered a different perspective of the wild lion’s tragic death as he feels all of the publicity is unnecessary. He also ridiculed those protesting the lion’s death.

“The whole story is a lie,” Nugent wrote on his Facebook page. “It was a wild lion from a ‘park’ where hunting is legal & ESSENTIAL beyond the park borders. All animals reproduce every year & would run out of room/food to live w/o hunting. I will write a full piece on this joke asap. God are people stupid.”

Nugent’s statement comes just days after Minnesota dentist Walter James Palmer made headlines for his involvement in an alleged illegal trophy hunting expedition. As previously reported on the Inquisitr, Palmer reportedly paid professional guides a staggering $55,000 for hunting and slaying the wild lion. Although Nugent argues that Cecil was killed “where hunting is legal,” Zimbabwean authorities claim the animal was lured out of the Hwange Game Reserve, which is considered a protected wildlife habitat, and he was shot with a high-powered crossbow. Only wounded, Cecil was tracked for approximately 40 hours before he finally collapsed. Palmer then finished off the mortally wounded lion with a gun.

On Tuesday, July 28, Palmer released a statement in reference to Cecil’s death, which sparked international outrage. He admitted that he was in Zimbabwe on a hunting trip, and he had hired professional guides. However, he insists all of the proper permits were secured prior to their hunting excursion, and he relied on the guides to ensure the hunt was legally organized, reports CBS News.

“In early July, I was in Zimbabwe on a bow hunting trip for big game. I hired several professional guides and they secured all proper permits. To my knowledge, everything about this trip was legal and properly handled and conducted,” he said. “I relied on the expertise of my local professional guides to ensure a legal hunt. I had no idea that the lion I took was a known, local favorite, was collared and part of a study until the end of the hunt,” Palmer said, according to CBS. “I deeply regret that my pursuit of an activity I love and practice responsibly and legally resulted in the taking of this lion.”

[Image(s) via Facebook; YouTube Screen Captures]

Share this article: Ted Nugent Defends Dentist Who Killed Cecil The Lion, Sounds Off On ‘Stupid’ Protesters
ted nugent Cecil the Lion
More from Inquisitr