Authorities in Zimbabwe want Walter Palmer, the American dentist who killed Cecil the lion, extradited.

Reuters noted that environment minister Oppah Muchinguri said Friday she would like Palmer to be extradited from the U.S. to Zimbabwe for the brutal killing of Cecil the lion and that prosecutors have already started the extradition process.

"The illegal killing was deliberate," Muchinguri said. "We are appealing to the responsible authorities for his extradition to Zimbabwe so that he can be held accountable for his illegal actions."

As previously reported, Palmer was identified as the person who paid over $50,000 to kill the beloved lion earlier this month.

The hunt made international headlines and Palmer received tons of backlash from the public and death threats. He was then forced to close his dental practice and remains in hiding

In the African country of Zimbabwe the illegal killing of a lion is punishable by a mandatory fine of $20,000 and up to 10 years in prison.

Screenshot via Bryan Orford YouTube channel