A TV presenter from Minnesota may find herself banned from an entire country because she couldn't help boasting of her latest kill. Melissa Bachman killed a lion on a hunt in South Africa and posted a photo of her kill on Facebook. Then she tweeted, "An incredible day hunting in South Africa! what a hunt!" South Africans were furious. Elan Burman of Capetown started a petition demanding that the government deny Bachman from future entry into the country. So far the petition has over 12,000 signature.
Hunting lions is legal in South Africa. But to Burman and thousands of others, killing a lion makes Bachman "an absolute contradiction to the culture of conservation, this country prides itself on." Lions are not on the Endangered Species list, but they are considered "vulnerable" and their numbers are dwindling. Conservation groups have been petitioning to have lions listed as endangered.
Bachman hosts a show about hunting called "Winchester Deadly Passion." Her website features several photos of herself smiling next to animals she's killed. If you're a hunting enthusiast, the photos may look thrilling. But for conservationists, they may send a chill up your spine.
Should a hunter be banned from a country for hunting an animal that's legal to kill?
Image via Melissa Bachman/Facebook