Pictured in court to face charges of poaching: Two 'accomplices' accused of helping US dentist kill Cecil the lion appear before magistrates in Zimbabwe

Two Zimbabweans accused of helping an American dentist hunt Cecil the lion have appeared in court amid growing anger over the protected animal's slaughter.

Professional hunter Theo Bronkhorst and local landowner Honest Ndlovu allegedly assisted Walter Palmer, who has since received death threats, catch and kill the lion.

Dr Palmer claims he had trusted his local guides to meet legal guidelines on his trip to Africa, during which he shot Cecil with a crossbow on July 1 before skinning and beheading him.

Tributes to the butchered lion have poured in thousands of miles away at Dr Walter Palmer's office in Bloomington, Minnesota, where protesters dressed as 'dentist hunters' also threw stuffed lions at his house.

• Dr Walter Palmer's office and practice website have become a target for animal rights activists

The hunter's office and practice website have become a target for animal rights activists disgusted by the dentist's actions, which have resulted in Zimbabwe authorities demanding to speak with him.

One of the strongest denunciations came from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which said on its Twitter account that Dr Palmer should hang for killing Cecil.

• Landowner Mr Ndlovu, who appeared in court with Mr Bronkhorst is facing criminal charges over claims he didn't have a hunting permit

• Mr Bronkhorst has been stripped of his licence while he faces criminal charges, the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Authority and the Safari Operators Association said

Emmanuel Fundira, the president of the Safari Operators Association of Zimbabwe, confirmed at a news conference on Tuesday that Dr Palmer is wanted for the death of Cecil.

Police spokesman Charity Charamba said 'we are looking for Palmer' who allegedly paid $55,000 (£35,000) for a big game permit and traveled from Minneapolis to Africa to kill a lion.

'We arrested two people and now we are looking for Palmer in connection with the same case,' said Ms Charamba.

The dentist is said to be somewhere in the Twin Cities, though calls to numbers listed for his home and office went unanswered Tuesday.

His dental practice was closed when reporters went to knock on the door and a note on the father-of-two's home address referred all callers to a public relations firm in Minneapolis.

The much loved big cat whose death sent Dr Palmer into hiding was wounded by an arrow after he was allegedly lured out of the national park by the hunter's bait.

After tracking the injured beast, Cecil was eventually found and shot dead. His corpse was then skinned and the head hacked off as a trophy.

However, speaking to the Star Tribune on Tuesday morning, Dr Palmer said he was unaware of Cecil's fame and expressed regret but denied any illegality and laid any blame firmly at the door of his guides.
Source: DAILYMAIL UK