Jimmy Kimmel Breaks Down In Tears While Discussing The Killing Of Cecil The Lion

Zimbabwe officials said they are now searching for Palmer. Police spokesperson Charity Charamba said the Minnesota dentist faces poaching charges, the Associated Press reported.

Palmer has released a statement insisting that the local hunters he worked with had appropriate permits, and that no aspect of the hunt was outside of the law.

Kimmel took the opportunity on his show last night to criticise Palmer.

"If that's the case, they have a pill for that, it works great," he continued. "Just stay home and swallow it and you save yourself a lifetime of being the most hated American who never advertised Jell-O pudding on television" – a reference to comedian Bill Cosby, who has been accused of sexually assaulting multiple women.

Kimmel went on to say he had no problem with hunting if it was for eating or keeping animal populations healthy, but added: "If you're some a-hole dentist who wants a lion's head over the fireplace in his man-cave so his douchebag buddies can gather around it and drink Scotch and tell him how awesome he is, that's just vomitous."

Professional hunter Theo Bronkhorst and Honest Ndlovu, the owner of a farm neighbouring Hwange National Park, have been charged with poaching offences for not having the required hunting permit, the BBC reported, and are due in court later today.