Video Captures The Thrill Killing of an Elephant . . . And A Herd Charging The Trophy Hunters

As many on this blog know, I am no fan of trophy hunting.  I fail to see why it is impressive or thrilling to shoot a giraffe or elephant with a high-powered rifle.    I just do not understand the thrill kill.  I often hike in remote areas to observe wild game.  It is thrilling to see them in their natural habitat. However, some people want to enjoy killing such animals.  The video below captures why some of us simply do not understand the joy of killing such animals. In the video, hunters sneak up on elephants in Nakabolelwa Conservancy in Namibia to kill an elephant.  One excitedly encourages his friend to shoot the elephant between the eyes.  They then shoot the animal and run away when the herd chases them.We previously followed the controversy over the shooting of “Cecil the Lion” by an American dentist Walter Palmer from Minnesota. What was most striking was the complete disconnect in how such kills are seen by hunters versus the public at large, as shown by the subsequent controversy of a Idaho hunter taunting animal advocates and other such hunts (here and here and here and here).

It is chilling to hear the large elephant being referenced as little more than a target and thrilling at the thought of getting to shoot it in the head.

I get the use of this money by locals, including funding park operations. However, it is unnerving to hear the detachment and enjoyment in killing these animals as if it represents an accomplishment to shoot and elephant in the head.