BACKGROUND
Dr. Walter Palmer is nowhere to be found. The Minnesota dentist has gone underground in the onslaught of criticism after he killed a prized African lion named Cecil. It probably shouldn't come as a surprise; an angry horde of Cecil supporters is calling for his head to be mounted on a wall. Meanwhile, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is investigating the circumstances surrounding the lion's killing. "At this point in time, however, multiple efforts to contact Dr. Walter Palmer have been unsuccessful. We ask that Dr. Palmer or his representative contact us immediately," said Edward Grace, the service's deputy chief of law enforcement. Full story + video >>
THE CARTOON
The cartoon by Mac from The Daily Mail shows the inside of Dr. Palmer's dentist's office. An angry crowd are protesting outside with placards reading 'Animals have rights too' and 'Murderer'. On the wall are trophies from previous hunting trips including a lion, rhino, antelope and elephant. And at the bottom of the wall is a mousehole with the word 'Dentist' above it. A mouse can be seen cowering inside and sweating with fear.
EXPLANATION
The cartoonist is comparing Dr. Palmer to a mouse for his refusal to come out of hiding (mice are often seen as symbols of timidity or cowardice).
VOCABULARY
The (English) cartoonist has put the word 'surgery' above the entrance to the building. In Britain, the place where dentists (as well as doctors) see their patients is called a surgery. However, in America they say 'dentist's office' (not 'surgery').
ALSO SEE
• Banx cartoon (Financial Times)
• Lion Killer (Cagle Post cartoon collection)
