Wildlife Expert Ron Magill Weighs In On Killing Of Cecil The Lion

Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Outrage has exploded over all over the world over the killing of a famed lion in Zimbabwe by a dentist from Minnesota—even South Florida is weighing in.

"I'm pissed about this," said ZooMiami's Ron Magill, "I'm so angry I can't begin to tell you."

Magill is angry, to say the least, that Cecil the Lion was killed in Zimbabwe by Dr. Walter Palmer. Magill, an animal activist and expert, said, "I understand hunting or feeding or defense but to hang on your wall to say 'I dominated?' It's disgusting."

People from all over, even celebrities, took to social media after Cecil was killed.

Dr. Palmer's Minnesota practice is now shut down, stuffed animals have been left outside and protests have been held throughout the day.

The outrage in the U.S. is high, perhaps more so than in neighboring South Africa. CBS4 spoke with Miami business man James Ceavers who is in South Africa on a work project just a few miles away from where Cecil was killed.

Ceavers said, "I wouldn't say it's on the top of the new hour. Not the first thing on people's mind in my experience."

The dentist said he hired guides and thought he was doing everything legally correct.

"One difference I'm hearing here versus the US is not as much personal anger directed at the guy who did this. A lot of people have but the blame on the tour guides who set this up," said Ceavers.

The protected animal was allegedly lured out of his sanctuary in a national park with the smell of food and then shot with a bow and arrow and then shot and killed 40 hours later. The remains were found thanks to a GPS device on the lion's neck. Cecil was being studied an monitored by the Oxford University.

Magill is hoping this incident brings about change.

"Social media has given public way to express and make changes and that's a big start here with this story," Magill said.

Dr. Palmer has had legal problems in the past regarding hunting.