Trump Controversy - Sons Proud of Slaughtered Animals in Africa

I cannot begin to tell you how infuriated I am by this story. Apparently, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump [along with many other wealthy individuals] have been traveling to Africa to hunt pretty much anything that moves. Their tour company, Hunting Legends, recently decided to brag about the pair and their victims on their Web site, complete with gruesome photographs.

Based on the photos, it seems as if the Trump boys are only a small part of the group that makes me sick to my stomach!  The images show the Trumps proudly holding a dead leopard, smiling, and holding a sawed off elephant’s tail next to the it’s body and posing with a dead water buck. PETA immediately responded to the incident, “Like all animals, elephants, buffalo and crocodiles deserve better than to be killed and hacked apart for two young millionaires’ grisly photo opportunity.”

The Trumps did make an official statement:

“We are both avid outdoorsmen and were brought up hunting and fishing with our Grandfather who taught us that nothing should ever be taken for granted or wasted. We have the utmost respect for nature and have always hunted in accordance with local laws and regulations. In addition, all meat was donated to local villagers who were incredibly grateful. We love traveling and being in the woods — at the end of the day, we are outdoorsmen at heart.”

Oh well thank goodness you big strong millionaires managed to find time in your busy schedule to feed the poor starving locals.  Father Trump made sure to make his own statement in an attempt to show people they aren’t the monsters they appear to be: “I’ve never liked it [hunting]. I’ve never liked that they like it… I’m going to talk to them about it. I’m not a fan of the whole situation.” No offense Mr. Trump but that just sounds like you “talking” to them is just to tell them not to get caught next time. The proverbial rich slap on the wrist.

So how does this work? it’s easy really. “The guides do all the work,” says famous travel writer Paula Froelich. “They track the animals which are not that hard to find. It’s kind of like finding a rat in New York. Then the ‘hunters’ get out of their jeep, which comes with a fully stocked bar, and get to cut off an elephant’s tail before having another gin and tonic. Its called a ‘Sun Down,’ after the sun goes down you have a drink and admire what you have killed.” Nauseated yet? It gets better…

According to the Hunting Legends site, “Africa is God’s country” and “God doesn’t bless mediocrity, he blesses excellence. Too often we as hunters are criticized and referred to as killers.” It appears they claim to be helping the conservation of wildlife and population control. Population control? really? Last time I checked the numbers of African lions and elephants for example, were dwindling down.

According to Defenders.org, the African lion is on the IUCN Red List, Listed as vulnerable. A species population reduction of approximately 30% is suspected over the past two decades (or approximately three lion generations).  The African elephant is listed on the IUCN Red List and the Endangered Species Act as endangered. Not to mention they are still recovering from the latest elephant massacre in Cameroon.

Hunting Legends also reveals that guests “hunt our old & mature male animals, which are beyond their prime productive time.”  But if you want to shoot a young leopard, it doesn’t come cheap – rates for the [serial killer] experience are around $750 a day and the leopard himself will run you about $7,000.

It’s a sad day when murder of defenseless animals costs a weeks wages.  I’m obviously outraged by the situation but after reading the undisputed details above, how do you feel?