In the jungle, the mighty jungle, poor Cecil the lion no longer sleeps tonight. After news broke that the beloved big cat was killed by a dentist from Minnesota, the hunter, Walter Palmer, quickly became “the most hated man in America who never advertised Jell-O pudding on television”, according to Jimmy Kimmel.
Palmer is reportedly receiving death threats and a deluge of horrible Yelp reviews, and it probably goes without saying that his patients are likely hunting themselves – for a new dentist. But Palmer is by no means the first big game trophy hunter to get skewered online for their exploits.
The Trump Kids
Of course Donald Trump’s sons are doing rich people things like hunting big game to prove their wealth and masculinity. Wonder where they got that from? Maybe dad needed material for a new toupee?
Karl Malone
The former NBA star for the Utah Jazz certainly seemed jazzed about the bear he was able to take down with nothing but a crossbow, some sensible camo gear and one seriously warm-looking hat.
Rebecca Francis
Earlier this year, Ricky Gervais tweeted this photo of a camo-clad woman lying next to a dead giraffe, sparking huge backlash. The woman turned out to be Rebecca Francis, winner of the 2010 reality show Extreme Huntress, whose website features a gallery of the animals she’s hunted – from hippopotami in Mozambique to moose in Alaska.
King Juan Carlos of Spain
The King of Spain enraged not only animal rights activists, but also his entire recession-ravaged country when he was photographed in front of a dead elephant in Botswana. The king also suffered a fall on the hunt – giving his detractors a perfectly timed excuse to yell “karma”.
Melisa Bachman
A quick Google search for “Melissa Bachman” suggests that you might be looking for the controversial former congresswoman Michele Bachmann. This Bachman – like her congressional counterpart – is also from Minnesota. But if Ms Bachman – one N – didn’t have enough problems with her name on the internet, the host of the hunting show Winchester Deadly Passion definitely didn’t help herself by posing with a dead lion.
Glenn McGrath
Australian cricket legend Glenn McGrath sparked outrage down under after posting pictures of his big game hunt in 2008.
Kendall Jones
If Cecil the lion’s death sounds familiar, you might be remembering a similar story that broke this time last summer, when animal rights activists were enraged by then 19-year-old Kendall Jones. The Texas cheerleader posted this picture of herself with a lion she killed, and needless to say, many were not cheering her “adventures in hunting”.
Sarah Palin
The former governor, vice-presidential candidate, hockey mom and TV personality has made no effort to hide the fact that she’s a happy hunter.
Steven Spielberg
Behold the most dangerous big game hunter of them all: the ruthless, blood-thirsty, fear-inducing Steven Spielberg. Look at the man! Fell a goddamn triceratops with nothing but his bare hands!
Or at least that’s what some commenters thought when Facebook user/genius troll Jay Branscomb posted this picture from the set of Jurassic Park on his timeline with the caption:
“Disgraceful photo of recreational hunter happily posing next to a Triceratops he just slaughtered. Please share so the world can name and shame this despicable man.”
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