Donald Trump’s sons recently went on an African hunting spree where they shot and killed an elephant, crocodile, kudu, civet cat, and waterbuck for recreation. Donald Trump didn’t travel with them and wasn’t involved in the animal shootings. However, one of the sponsors of Celebrity Apprentice ended their business relationship, when the company found out about Donald Junior and Eric Trump’s African safari. The CEO of Camping World said, “I wouldn’t spend another nickel with them.” (Source: Globe and Mail)
Photos of the hunted animals are here. (Warning: disturbing images)
Killing innocent wild animals for recreation is nothing more than wanton wasting of life. Some might say if they eat the animals, it would make killing them acceptable, but it wouldn’t, because the two extremely wealthy men already have an abundance of options available to them for food. So hunting and killing them was completely unnecessary. Also, consider the fact there are organized safaris in Africa that support conservation of wild animals, due to their tragic decline because of human activities.
The Earth Watch Institute offers research trips around the world, where participants pay to join a scientific team and help to support the project by working with the scientists. These expeditions help conserve species and habitat. One in Kenya focused on endangered black rhinos costs about $2,500 for 15 days, not including airfare.
If extremely wealthy people who are also famous and appear regularly on TV could choose to help conserve wild animals instead of killing them, it would raise the visibility of these research efforts.
Donald Trump Jr. defended his actions on Twitter, writing, “As a hunter I love wildlife too. And btw I bet the money I spend on licence fees that goes back to the animals is a lot more than the antis give for sure.” (The Sun)
Isn’t such an attitude – that money can buy anything – a significant part of the problematic outlook which defines animals as expendable, so cruelty can be dismissed as long as the perpetrator is wealthy?
Image Credit: Gary / Creative Commons