Cecil The Lion Honoured By Cartoonists After Beloved Big Cat Was Killed By Dentist Walter Palmer

The killing of a Zimbabwean lion called Cecil has caused uproar around the world - and now a number of cartoonists have paid their respect to him.

The big cat, one of the most famous animals in Africa, was killed by American dentist Walter Palmer, who later defended his actions.

Cecil was decapitated, skinned and his body was found about half a mile outside his national park, after being lured out at night with bait. Animals are only allowed to be killed within the park during the day - and with a permit.

Cartoonist Dave Granlund's tribute to Cecil

In his defence, Palmer said he "relied on the expertise of my local professional guides to ensure a legal hunt" and "had no idea that the lion I took was a known, local favourite, was collared and part of a study until the end of the hunt."

The killing caused outrage worldwide, and high-profile such as Ricky Gervais, Piers Morgan and Jimmy Kimmel expressed their anger at the hunter.

Now, cartoonists around the world have picked up their pens to memorialise the lion...

SEE ALSO:

• Peta Wants To See Cecil The Lion Killer Walter Palmer 'Extradited, Charged, And Preferably Hanged'

• Are These The Last Known Photos Of Cecil The Lion?

• Killer Revealed As American Dentist Walter Palmer

• Walter Palmer Has His Review Page Hijacked
• Cecil The Lion's Killer Walter Palmer Maintains He Did Nothing Wrong... Goes Into Hiding Anyway