Zimbabwean officials said on Tuesday that an American is being sought for the killing of Cecil the lion.

This case has drawn international attention, according to CNN, as Cecil, 13, was a prized lion in Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park. He was also a participant in a study, which Oxford University in Britain was conducting.

According to Johnny Rodrigues, head of the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force, the suspected killer of Cecil is Walter James Palmer of Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

Two Zimbabweans, Honest Trymore Ndlovu and Theo Bronchorst, have been arrested in connection with Cecil's killing and are due to appear in court, according to a statement released by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and Safari Operators Association of Zimbabwe.

Palmer is being sought for allegedly shooting the well-known, protected lion with a crossbow, the Boston Herald learned.

The American purportedly paid $50,000 to kill Cecil the lion, said Zimbabwean conservationists. Police spokeswoman Charity Charamba said Palmer faces poaching charges.

Apparently, officials tried to reach Palmer through his two listed home phone numbers, but both rang busy on Tuesday. Phone calls were also made to his dental office in Bloomington, but the same went unanswered.

Even the front door to the office building was locked when a reporter supposedly went there Tuesday morning. A woman who came to the door allegedly informed the reporter that Palmer was not there and he doesn't see patients on Tuesday.

Palmer previously issued a statement addressing the killing of Cecil on July 1, the Star Tribune reported. In the statement, Palmer maintained that he had the necessary permits for the hunt.

"I hired several professional guides, and they secured all proper permits," Palmer's statement read. "To my knowledge, everything about this trip was legal and properly handled."

"I had no idea that the lion I took was a known, local favorite, was collared and part of a study until the end of the hunt. I relied on the expertise of my local professional guides to ensure a legal hunt," the statement continued.

"Again, I deeply regret that my pursuit of an activity I love and practice responsibly and legally resulted in the taking of this lion," the statement concluded.

Palmer, 55, alleged that any authorities in Zimbabwe or the U.S. have not contacted him concerning the killing of Cecil the lion but claimed he will cooperate with investigators. The current whereabouts of Palmer are unknown.