'I'm not the killer' says hunter

[alexm]

SUNDAY TIMES NEWS BY DENEESHA PILLAY, 2016-06-09
'I'm not the killer' says hunter (warning: graphic images)

A South African professional hunter accused of taking part in the sanctioned culling of 2‚000 hippos in Zambia says he’s been wrongly identified as the villain in a drama that is infuriating animal rights activists across the globe.

Photos of a hippo being shot and skinned have garnered mass outrage on social media.
Image: Born Free/ Handout

Mass outrage is being vented on social media after images depicting an unidentified hunter‚ holding a rifle‚ standing over a slain hippo were posted to Facebook.

The photographs‚ which also depict the hippo being skinned‚ were leaked by a whistle-blower after being lifted off the Facebook page of an employee at the Zambian Department of National Parks and Wildlife.

Limpopo hunter Theo de Marillac‚ who operates Theo de Marillac Safaris‚ was then named as the shooter – a claim that his lawyer Marco Martini vehemently denied on Thursday.

“I want to tell you that false allegations have been made against my client. He was nowhere near Zambia at the time and that is not him in those pictures is‚” said Martini.

According to the De Marillac Safaris’ website‚ the company offers hippo-hunting packages where participants receive “the rare and exciting opportunity of participating in a controlled hippo hunt in Zambia’s upper and lower Lupandi.”

At a cost of R181‚300‚ hunters receive a “seven day safari including seven hippos”‚ according to the web page.

The deal includes a professional hunter‚ “ground transportation from Mfui to camp‚ accommodation‚ meals‚ beer and soft drinks‚ a hunting vehicle‚ recovery staff‚ skinners and camp staff”.

Photos of a hippo being shot and skinned have garnered mass outrage on social media. Image: Born Free/ Handout

De Marillac Safaris also offers hunters a 10-day “Leopard with Hounds Safari” for $32‚500 (approximately R482‚224). Trophy fees for leopards are at $6‚250 (approximately R92‚954).

De Marillac‚ a former pupil of St Stithians College in Johannesburg‚ was in no way involved in the controversial cull in Zambia‚ said Martini.

Leading wildlife organisation‚ Born Free International‚ has condemned the move to cull 2‚000 hippos over the next five years‚ despite it being sanctioned by the Zambian Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW). The DNPW had not responded to questions emailed from TMG Digital.

Commenting on an article posted to the Born Free Foundation’s Facebook page about the cull‚ readers appeared to be utterly unimpressed: “They kill these wonderful creatures because they can. A disgusting show of power and wealth by people with a great deal of money and no intelligence‚” commented Elizabeth Tull.

“The human race thinks that this planet and all that's on it or in it is theirs to do what they want with. Narrow minded‚ arrogant and ignorant. Oh and those with the most money obviously get first shot (literally) at whatever is up for grabs‚” John Durham added.

While Linda Rutledge commented; “There are no excuses just senseless killings from greedy people. When is this all going to stop? These creatures are so very precious!”

Will Taves OBE‚ Born Free President and Co-Founder‚ said in a statement that there were many questions about the “abhorrent activity” that needed answering.

“At a time when wildlife populations of multiple species are under extreme pressure across much of Africa‚ many‚ including Born Free and our supporters around the world‚ fundamentally question the logic of killing thousands of hippo‚ and turning the flood plains of the Luangwa River Valley into ‘killing fields’‚” he said.

The graphic images of skiinned hippos have caused mass outrage on social media. Image: Born Free/ Handout

“I am sure the hippo cull‚ along with Zambia’s decision to re-instate trophy hunting of lions‚ will cause many to question whether Zambia is the right wildlife safari destination for them. I urge the authorities to call a halt to the killing with immediate effect‚” he added.

Hippopotamuses are classified as a vulnerable and decreasing species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened species.


SOURCE: http://www.timeslive.co.za/sundaytimes/stnews/2016/06/09/Im-not-the-killer‚-says-hunter-warning-graphic-images

 

[CAustin]

The usual parties object. Then they attempt to name and shame someone!
If Zambia thinks they need to cull 2000 hippos there must be too many.
Similar situation exists with elephant in Kruger park in RSA and culling has not been undertaken! These folks in the article are offended by culling but don't understand the need for it.

 

[Clayton]

The bleeding hearts would rather watch an over-population starve to death and feel good about that?

 

[Pheroze]

Part of the problem is that Zambia was not prepared. The outrage is not new because that is how these rights organizations raise their profile and get funds. Zambia failed to get ahead of the problem with their own press statement. If it is scientifically justified then get out there and say so.

 

[cpr0312]

Exactly @Clayton ,

Or they would never know or care about a hippo in this pasrt of the world until a picture goes viral. Then they start their typical onslaught, crying foul, and wishing death on a human being because an animal is dead! I wish once a reporter in this situation who is taking their quote wold ask them would they wish death on their own father/brother/daughter etc. and see what their response would be

 

[ScottG]

They won't be as outraged when the animals are starving to death. That gets no publicity because it doesn't further their cause. "Hippocrits all of them are!!!"

 

[edward]

for every three antis culled well leave one hippo to take there place.im sure the antis will go for that.

 

[Bert the Turtle]

By the comments their ill feelings are as much about class envy as they are about animal rights.

 

[ScottG]

Rich, greedy, white Americans have always been a class that was hated. I always thought they were the ones who owned the businesses that they built with their own hands through hard work and perciverance that put people to work. I also thought you could do what you wanted with your earnings as long as you didn't hurt any one and it was within the law. I belive you have a right to your opinion, but I have a right to tell you to keep to yourself. Have a great day!!!

 

[TallGrassHunter]

Does anyone know the hippos' names?

 

[Dragan N.]

Post a bunch of pictures of dead/bloody/cut up animal carcasses and the social justice warriors/antis/hippies etc... are bound to react. Part of the reason is that these people are really disconnected from nature and the cycle of life. They have no idea where there meat comes from, I bet many of them think it is grown in the little Styrofoam packets they buy it in the grocery store. A 100 years ago these pictures would not have had the same effect on people because back then many more people lived on farms and butchered their own animals into meat. Seeing a skinned hippo carcass wouldn't have shocked, revolted or grossed them out. This is what butchering an animal to get food looks like, be it a hippo, cow, pig etc...