Florida Black Bear Cub Poaching Incident is a Reminder of the Need to Coexist with Wildlife

Last month, so many Floridians were shocked when the decaying body of a yearling bear cub, fondly nicknamed Bailey by members of the sprawling community that he sometimes visited, was discovered. This was an unlawful killing on its face, one that violated Florida regulations, but what was even more shocking was the manner in which Bailey had died: he had been killed with bird shot and left to bleed to a slow, agonizing death.

Bailey’s shooter, it turns out, was an experienced hunter who should have known that killing Bailey was illegal. At the very least he should have notified authorities right away after shooting the animal, which he didn’t. Among other things, his act made him a poacher.

To read more on this story, click here: Florida Black Bear Cub Poaching Incident is a Reminder of the Need to Coexist with Wildlife

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The Evil Giraffe Hunter Who Went Viral Isn't Sorry At All After Massive Social Media Backlash

A few weeks ago, news of a rare black giraffe that was shot and killed by a trophy hunter went viral after images of the slain animal were posted on social media. The hunter was identified as Tess Thompson Talley, a 37-year-old American woman who has achieved a level of notoriety on the internet for killing wild animals.

"Prayers for my once in a lifetime dream hunt came true today! Spotted this rare black giraffe bull and stalked him for quite awhile," Talley wrote in a Facebook post, which was later shared by an organisation called Africa Digest.

Though she later deleted the post, along with the pictures, they had already been shared by hundreds of people, and Talley has been receiving a huge amount of backlash as a result. However, despite all the criticism she's receiving, the hunter says she has no regrets about killing the giraffe - nor any other animal, for that matter.

"It is something I believe in," Talley told the Daily Mail. "This is more than a hobby for me, it's a passion."

The Texas-based hunter, who has garnered media attention a few times before on account of her controversial hobby, also tried to argue that she didn't do anything wrong by shooting the animal, and - much to the contrary - was actually helping the giraffe population, as well as the local community.

To read more on this story, click here: The Evil Giraffe Hunter Who Went Viral Isn't Sorry At All After Massive Social Media Backlash


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Dozens Of Lion Trophy Permits Issued To Hunters As Trump Rolls Back Import Hurdles

The federal government has issued more than three dozen permits allowing hunters to import lion trophies from two African nations since 2016, according to copies of the applications obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request. 

The documents, obtained by the group Friends of Animals, provide insight into the often secretive permitting process to import threatened or endangered species killed abroad during luxury hunting trips. Thirty-three Americans were issued permits to import 38 lion trophies between 2016 and 2018, at least half of whom have donated to Republican lawmakers or are affiliated with the hunting lobby Safari Club International.

It’s unclear how many permit applications are currently before the agency or how many were issued in past years. In a statement, the Fish and Wildlife Service said that all permit applications are carefully reviewed and granted only if they meet several legal standards in accordance with international treaties and other requirements of the country in which the animal was hunted.

“Legal, well-regulated hunting as part of a sound management program can benefit the conservation of certain species by providing incentives to local communities to conserve the species and by putting much-needed revenue back into conservation,” the statement read.

To read more on this story, click here: Dozens Of Lion Trophy Permits Issued To Hunters As Trump Rolls Back Import Hurdles

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Hunters Will Soon Bring Elephant Head Trophies Into U.S.

WASHINGTON (WUSA9) - The Trump Administration plans to remove an Obama-era ban on importing elephant head trophies.

That means big game hunters could soon bring their elephant head trophies into the U.S. if they were killed on legal hunts in Zimbabwe and Zambia.

For decades, African countries have struggled to save elephants. An estimated 30,000 are slaughtered by poachers every year for their ivory tusks.

In the 1970s, Africa had an estimated 1.3 million wild elephants. Now only a half a million remain.
  
But a statement from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says legal, well-regulated sport hunting of elephants can help save the animals by giving local communities a financial incentive to protect them.

To read more on this story, click here: Hunters Will Soon Bring Elephant Head Trophies Into U.S.


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This Hunter Waged a War on Feral Cats: Now He Says He Has Become the Target of Attacks

For years, Sam Wood has been a proponent of hunting and killing invasive species, such as wild hogs, that can threaten the native ecosystems. His Facebook page is filled with photos showing the 48-year-old outdoorsman taking down sparrows and starlings, pigeons and rats.

But Wood’s most recent mark seems to have made him the target, feral cats.

It started earlier this month, when the Wisconsin resident shared a stock photo of a cat in a trap.

“Some may find this offensive but the truth is feral cats are a huge problem,” he wrote online. “I know this post will cause some backlash from the Disney educated but by putting the truth out there and not hiding we can educate some folks.

“Back in the 80’s we used to get $5 for a cat hide. Buyers had pallets of cat hides. The hides were used as trim on leather gloves. Some trappers targeted cats year round which helped the environment tremendously and it also gave them gas money and they used the meat for bait. Now we have bunny huggers that want to protect cats. They refuse to educate themselves as to the true impact of what they are doing and saying.”

In an interview, Wood said he sets up traps near his home in Wild Rose, a small town in central Wisconsin, to catch raccoons and other small animals to sell on the fur market. But sometimes, he said, he inadvertently catches feral cats.

To read more on this story, click here: This Hunter Waged a War on Feral Cats: Now He Says He Has Become the Target of Attacks

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Two Brothers Hunting in the Canadian Woods Free Bald Eagle and Take Epic Selfie

Two brothers, Michael and Neil Fletcher were hunting in the Canadian woods when they found a bald eagle caught in a hunter’s trap.

Instead of letting it suffer there, they covered the bird and freed it.

"It was attached to a stake and the eagle was trying to fly up, but it only had a foot of slack in the chain," Michael told the Sudbury Star.

Michael put his hoodie over the eagle's head while they worked to release it from the trap.

Once the bird was free, they went to set it loose, but first ... they took a selfie to capture the unforgettable moment!

"I was surprised by the size, and that it's such a beautiful bird," said Michael. "When you see the eyes up close, they're really amazing."

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Professional Game Hunter Ian Gibson Killed by a Young Bull Elephant

A young bull elephant killed professional hunter Ian Gibson early on Wednesday as he tracked a lion for an American client in a rugged part of north-east Zimbabwe.

Mr. Gibson, 55, one of Zimbabwe's best known big game hunters, died scouting for prey in the Zambezi Valley after a young bull elephant charged, then knelt on him and crushed him to death.

"We don't yet know the full details of how 'Gibbo' as we called him, died, as the American client and the trackers are still too traumatized to give us full details," said Paul Smith, Managing Director, of Chifuti Safaris' which employed Mr. Gibson for the hunt.

The American hunter was on his first trip to Zimbabwe, and only has one leg, but was "fit and strong" and had already shot a leopard. Mr. Gibson was scouting for lions when he encountered the elephant.

Mr. Gibson's trackers said the young bull had been in a musth period, which means it was producing much more testosterone then usual.

"We know 'Gibbo' shot it once, from about 10 yards away, with a 458 rifle. He would never have fired unless he had no alternative. He was a hunter, yes, but he was also a magnificent wildlife photographer and conservationist.

"He was so experienced and this is a most unexpected tragedy."

Mr. Gibson was accompanying his client in an area known as Chiwore North, in the southern part of the Zambezi Valley, which Mr. Smith said is overpopulated with elephants. FOLLOW US!

Cosmetics Giant L'Oreal has Severed Ties with the Belgian World Cup Fan Whose Good Looks Swept the Internet After Controversy Over Her Hunting Trip Photographs

Cosmetics giant L'Oreal has severed ties with the Belgian World Cup fan who won a modelling contract after being spotted in the crowd after it emerged she is a fan of big game hunting.

Axelle Despiegelaere, 17, caught the world's attention after being photographed cheering on her national team in the Group H match against Russia - with the image widely shared online.

But L'Oreal has confirmed that the modelling contract it awarded her as a result of her new-found fame has already been cancelled after a photo emerged of the teenager posing with a rifle and a dead animal in Africa.

Discovered: 17-year-old Axelle Despiegelaere won a contract to model for L'Oreal after this image of her at the World Cup went viral. But after photographs of her hunting emerged, the cosmetics firm ended the relationship.

                                Axelle Despiegelaere pictured with a rifle and an animal while on a hunting trip in Africa


As a result of her appearance during the World Cup, Despiegelaere landed a contract to star in a L’Oréal Professionnel Belgique social media campaign, including a 'hair tutorial' video.

But within days of the announcement it emerged she is a fan of big game hunting, with a photograph her Facebook page showing her posing with a rifle and the bloodied corpse of a large Gemsbok antelope.

The image was reportedly accompanied with the caption: "Hunting is not a matter of life or death. It's much more important than that."

Now L'Oreal - which is keen to promote itself as sympathetic to animal welfare concerns - has decided to end its association with Despiegelaer.

Speaking to The Independent, the cosmetics giant said: "L’Oréal Professionnel Belgium collaborated with her on an ad hoc basis to produce a video for social media use in Belgium. The contract has now been completed."

World Cup winner: The photos of Axelle cheering on her team at the Group H game against Russia helped launch her career

Well-liked: After returning home to Belgium, Axelle set up a professional Facebook which has now been 'liked' over 200,000 times.

The L'Oreal spokesperson added that, although the brand was aware of the photograph of the hunting trip, it would not comment on whether it led to the decision to sever ties with Despiegelaere.

They were keen to stress, however, that L'Oréal "no longer tests on animals, anywhere in the world, and does not delegate this task to others."

L'Oreal has long promoted itself as sensitive to animal welfare concerns.

In 2012 the company donated $1.2million to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to help improve the testing of safe chemicals.

In the photo which scored Despiegelaere her modelling contract she doned red, yellow and black face paint and a horned hat.

              Belgian beauty: The pictures of Axelle quickly went viral and appeared in newspapers around the world.

On Tuesday, Axelle announced that she had accepted a contract to model for L'Oreal. Now, three days later, that contract has been cancelled.

The pictures of happy Despiegelaere quickly went viral and appeared in newspapers across the world, launching her new career.

After returning home to Belgium, Despiegelaere set up a professional Facebook page which now has over 200,000 'likes'.

On Tuesday, she announced her decision to accept a contract modeling for L'Oreal and even posted a video of her trying out their hair products.

While Despiegelaere may have come out a winner in this year's World Cup, her national team was not so lucky.

After escaping Group H, Belgium went on to beat the U.S. before being defeated by Argentina.

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