AKIPRESS.COM - A US dentist who killed a lion in Zimbabwe has apologised to his patients in Minnesota for the disruption caused by the anger directed at him.

Walter Palmer's dental practice in Minneapolis has been closed since he was named as the tourist who shot Cecil, Zimbabwe's most famous lion. Two Zimbabwean men have been charged over the death and local police say Mr Palmer may also face poaching charges, reports BBC.

He says he thought the hunt was legal and was unaware Cecil was protected. In a letter sent to his "valued" patients on Tuesday, Mr Palmer said he had been in the news "for reasons that have nothing to do with my profession or the care I provide for you".

He described himself as a "life-long hunter" but said he rarely discussed his passion with patients "because it can be a divisive and emotionally charged topic".

Echoing an earlier statement, he insisted that he thought the hunt was legal and said he would assist authorities in Zimbabwe or the US in their inquiries.

Cecil, who was a major tourist attraction at Zimbabwe's largest game reserve in Hwange National Park, is believed to have died on 1 July, but the carcass was not discovered until a few days later.

Mr Palmer is said to have shot and injured the animal with a bow and arrow. The group did not find the wounded lion until 40 hours later, when he was shot dead with a gun.

The lion was later skinned and beheaded, according to the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force (ZCTF), a local charity.

The animal had a GPS collar fitted for a research project by UK-based Oxford University that allowed authorities to track its movements. The hunters had tried to destroy it but failed, according to the ZCTF.

Mr Palmer's dental practice has closed its website and social media accounts since his identity was revealed after thousands of people flooded them with angry comments. A protest was held outside the building on Wednesday.

About 100 protesters, both adults and children, stood around holding posters that had messages like "Justice for Cecil", "Trophy hunters are cowards" and "Prosecute poachers".

Protesters chanted "Extradite! Extradite!" Mr Palmer was nowhere to be seen. Two women from the Minneapolis-based Animals Rights Coalition said they organised the protest to raise awareness about animal cruelty.

"We put together this protest because we don't think animals are trophies and shouldn't be used for sport," said Chelsea Hassler of the group.