Cecil the lion image projected onto Empire State Building

A picture of Cecil the lion - the animal killed by an American dentist in Zimbabwe - has been projected onto the Empire State Building.

Photographs of Cecil and other animals - including snow leopards and tigers - lit up the iconic building in New York on Sunday to raise awareness of endangered species around the world.

Cecil's death at the hands of Walter Palmer sparked international outrage and Zimbabwean officials have called for the dentist to be extradited to face charges over "his illegal action".

Palmer - who reportedly paid £32,000 to kill the famous animal - insisted the hunting trip was "legal and properly handled and conducted".

People gathered as the images moved across the Empire State, with many using the hashtag #RacingExtinction to tweet their support for the campaign, organised by the Oceanic Preservation Society.

Organisers said the event intended to show the plight of the "most beautiful - and threatened - species" and make the world realise "what's at stake".

Cecil was not originally in the presentation but was added as a tribute after his death, a spokesman for the society is quoted as saying.