Big game backlash: Protests against celebrity hunter Melissa Bachman mount

Yahoo News ^ | 11/19/13 | Dylan Stableford

[Impala64ssa]

More than 250,000 people have signed an online petition demanding that South Africa deny future entry to Melissa Bachman, a big game hunter whose smiling photo with a dead lion has sparked considerable outrage.

The petition, launched by Cape Town resident Elan Burman, includes a letter addressed to Director General Mkuseli Apleni and other South African officials.

"She is an absolute contradiction to the culture of conservation this country prides itself on," Burman wrote. "Her latest Facebook post features her with a lion she has just executed and murdered in our country. As taxpayers we demand she no longer be granted access to this country and its natural resources."

According to Change.org, Burman's petition has 257,753 supporters. A Facebook group called "Stop Melissa Bachman" has more than 148,000 "likes."

"Stop the murder of wildlife for the sport," a message on the group's Facebook page reads. "Stop Melissa Bachman and people like her from pulling the trigger.

"An incredible day hunting in South Africa!" Bachman, a Minnesota native, wrote on Facebook and Twitter Nov. 1. "Stalked inside 60 yards on this beautiful male lion ... what a hunt!"

Big game hunting in Africa has long been criticized by animal rights activists, but proponents say the money hunters spend during their trips boosts the local economy, and supports conservation projects.

According to Grind TV, Bachman killed the lion during a guided hunt facilitated by the Maroi Conservancy. And according to Maroi, the hunt was perfectly legal.

“We do ethical hunting and all meat from animals hunted is distributed to the local community," a post on Maroi's Facebook page reads. "Funds generated from hunting goes towards fixing the border fence that was washed away in the 2013 floods, combating poaching, which is excessive in this area due to close proximity to Zimbabwe,

[saleman]

I’ll give you the short version.

Most of these countries have plenty of problems. Animals were not a priority. Until they found out there was money to be made. Most, if not all these animals that you would harvest on Safari carry a trophy fee. Kill an elephant pay, oh, $50,000 dollars. If there were no money in it, there would be no animals left. Do you really think these governments actually give a crap about the animals?

[saleman]

“I would wager the money gained from tourists to see the lions year in and year out far outweigh one hunting license.”

You think she is the only one paying for a license? Paying trophy fees? It’s not like this was the last lion in all of Africa. Get a grip.

Hell, I give up.

[marktwain]

Thank you for your attempts at education.

[Osage Orange]

Is she single?

I'm in love already.

I have money and lot's of time!!!

: )

[Osage Orange]

You can rot.

[Osage Orange]

And you are a jerk too!

Why are you here?

Is FREEDOM to live free a problem for you?

Is the U.S. Bill of Rights a problem for you?

FWIW-

[saleman]

“Thank you for your attempts at education.”

I try. Thank you for noticing. Maybe if I had a little more patience? But I don’t. It’s on you now....Cheers!

[SgtHooper]

Typically, these are not random shoots, but of “trouble” animals marked as either being taken out by the locals or sold out to big game hunters.

[Osage Orange]

I’d kill and lion, a tiger or a bear in heartbeat...

[SgtHooper]

Actually, bows can dish out a brutal lingering death on deer. Seen this many times. Lead is usually much quicker and cleaner. I no longer hunt and this pic riled me as well, but I understand how it all works together to perpetuate the species.

[SgtHooper]

Don’t shoot yourself in the foot! :-)

[Red in Blue PA]

What a tough guy you are/s

[demshateGod]

If I told you I have tried something very similar, what would your response?

[Lockbar]

"And you are are another ignorant one. Go back to DU, or learn what is happening before commenting on it."

I have been here for 10 years. You are deranged.

[PA Engineer]

You have no idea how conservation works. You have no idea how much hunters, here and abroad, contribute to the conservation of wildlife and their habitat. You also have no idea that elephants would be all but extinct in the wild except for hunters. You have no idea what hunters do for the economies here and in Africa. You have no idea, period.

Yep.

[TexasCajun]

You didn't name-call, that was another post not by you.

They will Kill You! And eat you if they get the chance.

Oh, the irony.

[IMR 4350]

“If I told you I have tried something very similar, what would your response?”

Don’t get kicked or you wont have any teeth to try it a second time.

[Beagle8U]

Moronic thinking?

Every wildlife biologist in the world agrees that without the funding from sportsmen there would be little wildlife conservation at all.

[redgolum]

I suspect he has already sired a number of cubs. Most lion hunts go for mature males, which are also the more likely ones to develop a taste for people.

[wardaddy]

Lion murdered and executed?

Crazy use of English language

And other nuts

Sun girl...I love u still!