The office of the Minnesota dentist who sparked outrage when he killed a beloved lion in Zimbabwe last month, reopened Monday.
Dr. Walter James Palmer, who has admitted to killing Cecil the lion, disappeared from public view after the well-known animal's July 1 killing drew condemnation from around the world.
River Bluff Dental, in Bloomington, reopened Monday — without the controversial Palmer — according to a tweet from the office's page.
"Today, River Bluff Dental employees and dentists are beginning to serve our loyal patients. Dr. Palmer is not on site," said a note on Palmer's letterhead, posted as a picture with the tweet.
The note requested that reporters stay off the property "and respect the peace of mind of our patients and clients."
A security guard kept watch outside the dental office Monday as people filtered in and out, according to The Associated Press.
Related: Home of Lion Hunter Walter Palmer, Dentist Who Killed Cecil, Vandalized
River Bluff Dental was shuttered in July as the building was plastered with condemning posters and the business's Yelp page was flooded with angry reviews.
Palmer is accused of killing Cecil without the proper permits, and a Zimbabwe official said he plans to extradite the dentist for the kill. Palmer maintains that he trusted that his guides in Zimbabwe had acquired the necessary permits to hunt the 13-year-old lion.
One of the two guides has been charged in Zimbabwe with failing to prevent the unlawful killing of Cecil, but told NBC News that he feels he did nothing wrong.
