
A Canadian couple have become the subject of heated global criticism for kissing over the fresh corpse of a lion in a photo.
Darren and Carolyn Carter from Edmonton, Alberta, run a taxidermy business and paradoxically describe themselves as “passionate conservationists”. Despite this self-applied label, they chose to take part in the “canned hunt” experience offered by Legelela Safaris in South Africa, during which they shot and killed at least two lions.
“Hard work in the hot Kalahari sun…well done. A monster lion.” the tour operators posted on Facebook accompanied by the image.
Accompanying another post, they wrote: “There is nothing like hunting the king of the jungle in the sands of the Kalahari!!!! Well done to the happy huntress and the team….”
When asked by The Mirror for comment, Darren Carter said simply: “We aren’t interested in commenting on that at all. It’s too political.”
Backlash
Social media users have been quick to condemn the couple.
Canned hunts
Legelela Safaris offer paid hunts for giraffes, zebras, rhinoceroses, leopards, elephants, and lions.
Experts say that the lions pictured in the posts were bred in captivity, for the sole purpose of being killed by tourists.
Eduardo Goncalves of the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting says: “It looks as though this lion was a tame animal killed in an enclosure, bred for the sole purpose of being the subject of a smug selfie.
“This couple should be utterly ashamed of themselves, not showing off and snogging for the cameras.”
Legelala Safaris, who have since deleted their Facebook and Twitter pages and whose website is, at time of writing, inaccessible due to an exceeded bandwith limit, have declined to comment on the situation. Still live are several promotional YouTube videos.
One three minute video features soaring landscape shots intercut with footage of hunters loading and firing guns at birds and antelope, set to a dramatic piece of stock production music.
WARNING: VIDEO CONTAINS GRAPHIC ANIMAL VIOLENCE
Another, longer and more graphic video shows actual animal deaths and close-ups of the fresh corpses, as well as testimonials from customers.
One shot features an older man kneeling behind the body of a crocodile, its mouth propped open with a stick.
“Well, two trips to Africa and I got a big one,” says the man. “Last year was fun, but, as they say with crocodiles, size does matter. This is great.”
What do you think of canned safari hunts? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Lifestyle
Vegan culture, food, beauty & more
What is a vegan shampoo? And 11 fantastic brands to try
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 27th January 2023
Do you know which ingredients make your shampoo non-vegan? The cosmetic industry has gone through a radical shift in the last few years as more consumers become aware of the impact their purchases make. As a result, the demand for vegan hair care products has soared. Consumers are becoming more conscious of the ingredients in …
Continue reading “What is a vegan shampoo? And 11 fantastic brands to try”
Dietitians claim plant-based diet can stunt growth of infants
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 18th January 2023
The NHS Start for Life website has added information about vegan and vegetarian babies. Nutritionists and dietitians have raised concerns about the health implications of vegan diets for babies following the publication of the NHS’s vegan infant nutrition guide. The NHS Start for Life website, which provides guidance for new parents, has added a new …
Continue reading “Dietitians claim plant-based diet can stunt growth of infants”
VEGAN MEMES
NEED A LAUGH?
QUIZZES
All the quizzes you love to binge!
QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert
- Marlon Farrugia
- 10th January 2020
How much vegan knowledge do you have stored away? Do you have to Google your way through a shopping trip, or do you have all the bad E-numbers memorised? Find out now with this quiz. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …
Continue reading “QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert”
QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 13th October 2019
Spook Season approaches. There will be ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and glucose. You need a costume, and you want to it to show off your personality, which means VEGAN. But what to choose? Take our quiz to find out your perfect outfit. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a …
Continue reading “QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?”
QUIZ: What kind of vegetable are you?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 26th September 2019
“If you were a vegetable, what kind would you be?” A question that has tormented humanity throughout the ages – until now. Read: QUIZ: If you score 19/20 on THIS quiz, you’re a Vegan God Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …