Before He Hunted Cecil the Lion, American Dentist Illegally Killed This Black Bear

This newly-released photo shows Dr. Walter Palmer posing with a black bear he killed illegally - years before he hunted down Cecil the lion.

The Minnesota dentist, who was widely condemned for killing the lion in Zimbabwe, is seen proudly grinning beside the slain bear following a hunt in Wisconsin in 2006.

The photos were released to ABC News by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources following a Freedom of Information request.

Read: Crisis Manager Turns Down Dentist's Plea for Help As Zimbabwe Seeks His Extradition

Palmer shot the bear with a bow and the aid of dogs, according to the Department, and he killed it in an area where he did not have a permit to hunt, ABC reported.

U.S. Attorney John Vaudreuil told ABC that Palmer wanted the three guides he was with to lie with him and Palmer offered to pay them $20,000.

But the guides didn't lie and in 2008, Palmer pleaded guilty to felony charges of making flase statements to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He paid $2,938 in fines and was sentenced to a year of probation.

Read: Dentist Who Slayed Cecil the Lion Comes Out of Hiding, Contacts Authorities

Following Cecil's death and the subsequent uproar earlier this summer, he apologized.

"I relied on the expertise of my local professional guides to ensure a legal hunt," he said. "Again, I deeply regret that my pursuit of an activity I love and practice responsibly and legally resulted in the taking of this lion."

Watch Below: Dentist Who Killed Cecil Disconnects Phone as Protestsers Swarm His Office