For all the negative criticisms leveled at Donald Trump, the one thing he has mastered is how to brand a marketing campaign. Unfortunately the types of branding Trump chooses as his 'pet' projects are rejected by most animal advocates, worldwide. Here's why . . .
Out of Africa
Earlier this year, Trump's wildlife board has been rebranding 'trophy hunting" as good for animals. As gun owners and the National Rifle Association hold immense clout in the Trump administration, Trump has made it easier for hunters to import the body parts of lions, elephants and other animals killed from Africa.
Members of Trump’s advisory board, aka, the International Wildlife Conservation Council (IWCC), argue that the sport, in which millionaire hunters pay tens of thousands of dollars to shoot endangered megafauna, is a acceptable method of conservation abroad.
Scottish Goats
Unfortunately wildlife hunting for trophies is not a single country issue. Recently two trophy hunters from the U.S. hunted a wild goat on the Scottish Isle of Islay.
These reckless predators boldly posted pictures with the dead goat on social media accounts. The Scottish National Party has said the Environment Secretary will look into whether changes to the law might be required, as a result.
Larysa Unleashed
The hunter, Larysa Switlyk, whose Twitter account notes she's from Florida and is the host of a show called “Larysa Unleashed” on the Canadian channel Wild TV, uploaded the image of the dead goat to her Instagram account.
“Beautiful wild goat here on the Island of Islay in Scotland,” wrote Ms. Switlyk, who describes herself on Twitter as “not your typical CPA, professional huntress and angler.” “Such a fun hunt!!”
Ms. Switlyk added: “Made a perfect 200 yard shot and dropped him with the gunwerks and nightforce-optics! (Good thing too because he could have ran off the cliff into the water).”
Animal Advocacy Pushback
Any way you analyze this, this is not a kidding matter. These goats are a nonnative invasive species in Scotland, with no natural predators . . . except of course women like Larysa and her like.
Sarah Moyes, a spokeswoman for OneKind, an organization dedicated to ending cruelty to Scotland’s animals, said in an email: “It’s utterly shocking to see these images of Larysa Switlyk and other hunters posing for photos with the wild animals they killed on a recent trip to Scotland. Yet again, instead of celebrating Scotland’s magnificent wildlife, we are seeing these beautiful animals exploited in the name of sport.”
This is not the type of tourism that should be encouraged in Scotland, Africa or any other land that is home to the planet's wildlife. This year, the Trump Administration signed an executive order to allow hunters to import big-game trophies, including elephant tusks and lion hides, acquired in certain African countries, overturning an Obama-era ban. If you disagree with this action, please reach out to your local House & Senator representatives and voice your protest. This legislation needs to be reversed.
Your thoughts?
Primary Source: Wildlife TV
