Viral rage: Melissa Bachman’s post of trophy hunting a lion sparks online outrage

“Hunting to feed yourself is hunting; hunting for ‘sport’ is murder.”

This is just one of the thousands of comments that are being brandished on social media, under the hashtag #MelissaBachman.

A US TV presenter of the show ‘Winchester Deadly Passion’, Bachman achieved infamy overnight with a target painted on her own back when a picture of a trophy kill went viral, that she claims she stalked and hunted a lion.

The image, posted on Bachman’s Facebook and Twitter accounts, caused a uproar online, sparking a heated debate on trophy hunting that has led to deluge of hate mail targeted at her and an online petition to ban the presenter from ever entering South Africa again.

The petition has reached nearly 250,000 signatures.

A petition set up in the wake of the outrage has now been signed by more than 245,000 people.

In a letter addressed to Mkuseli Apleni, director-general of South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs, Bomo Edna Molewa at the Ministry of Water and Environmental Affairs, and Lakela Kaunda from the private office of the president, the petition’s signatories say: “Melissa Bachman has made a career out of hunting wildlife, for pure sport.

“Her antics are captured extensively on her personal website.

“She is an absolute contradiction to the culture and conservation this country prides itself on. Her latest Facebook post features her with a lion she has just executed and murdered in our country.

“As tax payers we demand she no longer be granted access to this country and its natural resources.”

Bachman, who was in South Africa earlier this month while shooting a TV show, embarked on this trophy hunt, which is considered legal in the country.

The TV host posted a picture of herself, grinning over the carcass of a lion, whilst brandishing a rifle. The accompanying post read: “An incredible day hunting in South Africa. Stalked inside 60-yards on this beautiful male lion... what a hunt [sic].”

The social media comments in response to this have been short of brutal.

Dr Freek Vonk tweeted: “Melissa Bachman enjoys killing amazing wildlife just 'for the fun of it'. A sickening contradiction to our culture of conservation.”

Joe Schmo wrote: “I’m not saying she should die, but if Melissa Bachman ever finds herself getting eaten by a pack of wild, hungry hyenas, I would laugh.”

Justin Silver said: “I spend my life trying to save animals and Melissa Bachman shoots them for fun. This makes my skin crawl.”

Sarah McClure said: “I’m sick to my stomach Melissa Bachman, killing lions in Africa shouldn’t be celebrated.”

Actor comedian Ricky Gervais has also spoke out against Bachman’s act, writing: “Animals are not here for us to do as we please with. We are not their superiors, we are their equals. We are their family. Be kind to them.

“There’s a big difference between the natural need for a species to kill and eat prey and just shooting an animal simply as a ghastly trophy.”

He continued: “I’ll pay for each pride of lions to have their own designated sniper on their side. Now it’s a sport. Where you brave hunters at now? Haha.”

Since the online onslaught, Bachman has switched her Twitter and Facebook accounts to private, as has Julious Heyneke, the person who was identified as the private hunter who organised their trip into the wilds.

And while the outrage continues, there are those who have come out to show their support for Bachman, even creating a Facebook page to shut down this “online lynch mob,” according to one.

Ben Fourie wrote: “Why is this making such bad press? Trophy Hunting has been around forever, and Melissa Bachman did nothing wrong?”

Alessandro CAR said: “Hunting directly funds conservation in South Africa, the hunting of one Lion/Elephant/Buffalo can help save several Rhino, for example.”

Organisation Hunters Against PETA said: “Awesome trophies Melissa, keep it up!”

Katie Pavlich said: “Even if you’re anti-hunting, I would hope it’s clear that the mob being sicced on Melissa Bachman is ridiculous.”

Before Bachman’s website was taken down, there were several images of her previous hunting expeditions, including a zebra, a brown bear and one particular gruesome image of an alligator strung up on noose, hung from a tree.
 

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