Minnesota Dentist Claims He 'Might Have' Killed Beloved Zimbabwe Lion Cecil

A photo posted by Aye ztrk (@a.ozturkayse) on Jul 28, 2015 at 9:59am PDT

Authorities in Zimbabwe say a dentist from Minnesota paid $55,000 to illegally kill one of the country's most famous lions.

Although initial reports said the killer was a Spaniard, The Telegraph reports that the hunter responsible for Cecil the lion's death was an American dentist named Dr. Walter J. Palmer.

1. WalterJamesPalmer was the man who killed #CecilTheLion. This was an #illegalhunt. #VisitZimbabwe #263Chat #wildlife #illegalhunting #VisitZimbabwe (@tourismzimbabwe) July 28, 2015

Cecil the lion was part of an Oxford University research project and wore a GPS collar, according to CNN, who reported the story.

The 13-year-old animal, a fixture on safaris there, was lured out of the Hwange National Park with food, shot with a crossbow, tracked for 40 hours and finally killed with a gun on July 6, Johnny Rodrigues, head of the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force, told CNN.

Palmer told Minnesota's Star Tribune on Tuesday that he is disputing the allegations. "Obviously, some things are being misreported," he said. But a spokesperson for the dentist has something slightly different to say.

"As far as I understand, Walter believes that he might have shot that lion that has been referred to as Cecil," the spokesman The Guardian. "What he'll tell you is that he had the proper legal permits and he had hired several professional guides, so he's not denying that he may be the person who shot this lion. He is a big-game hunter; he hunts the world over."

Rodrigues said the animal's head and skin have been found and are considered evidence at this time.

The operator of the safari during which the killing occurred has been arrested, and a hearing is set for August 6.

In a Facebook post, the Zimbabwe Professional Hunters and Guides Association said the hunter in charge of the safari was one of its members.

"ZPHGA therefore with immediate effect, suspend his membership indefinitely," the post said. "The professional hunter and company he works for have been co-operative in the investigation."

Celebrities such as Adam Levine's wife Behati Prinsloo have posted their outrage over Cecil's death on social media.

I can't even put into words how this is making me feel, Dr. Walter J Palmer from Minnesota stay out of Africa!!!! Seriously breaks my heart. Bored idiots that think trophy hunting in Africa is a sport need to be stopped. How can we still allow people to hunt down these incredible animals. I want my kids to grow up seeing these animals in the wild, NOT on your wall..... #LetsEndThis #CecilTheLion #WalterPalmer #justice A photo posted by Behati Prinsloo Levine (@behatiprinsloo) on Jul 28, 2015 at 9:57am PDT

It's clear that Cecil - who is survived by about six lionesses and about 24 cubs, according to Rodrigues - will be missed by people and animals alike.

"He never bothered anybody," Rodrigues told The Telegraph. "He was one of the most beautiful animals to look at."