Advertisement

Canadian couple shamed for kissing behind dead lion in safari photo

Carolyn and Darren Carter, of Edmonton, are shown in this photo originally posted on the Legelela Safaris Facebook page. Legelela Safaris/Facebook

An Edmonton couple is facing intense online backlash about a photo showing them kissing behind a dead lion during a hunting trip in South Africa.

The viral photo shows a man and a woman posing for a “romantic” photo with the carcass of a male lion during a hunting safari last month. It was originally posted on a Facebook page belonging to Legelela Safaris, a trophy-hunting company that offers customers a wide range of animals as prey, including lions. The photo caption identifies the couple as Carolyn and Darren Carter of Edmonton.

Story continues below advertisement

It’s unclear who shot the lion or whether it was killed legally, but big-game hunting is legal under South African law.

WATCH: Trophy-hunting outrage sparks debate

Click to play video: 'Trophy hunting outrage sparks debate'
Trophy hunting outrage sparks debate

“Hard work in the hot Kalahari sun … well done,” the original post read, according to reports. “A monster lion.”

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Another photo shows the couple posing with the carcass of a male white lion.

The lion photo has triggered an intense negative reaction online, where many users have flooded the Carters’ Facebook page with angry comments.

“Your despicable hunting photos have made headline news,” user Justa Kruger wrote on their page. “You aren’t heroes but villains. What a disgrace you are.”

Story continues below advertisement

Others suggested the two would fall victim to karma in the future.

The Legelela Safaris Facebook page has since been deleted.

WATCH: NHL player accused of illegally hunting bear

The Carters own and operate Solitude Taxidermy in Parkland County, Alta., according to their Facebook page. They appear to have shared the safari photos to their Facebook and Twitter accounts in early July. Their Facebook and Instagram accounts have since been switched to private. Their Twitter account still includes tweets about the trip.

“Back in South Africa! Part two of our safari!” they tweeted on June 26. The tweet also mentions Legelela Safaris.

Story continues below advertisement

The Carters did not respond to Global News’ requests for comment; neither did Legelela Safaris.

The backlash echoes a similar outcry in 2015, when an American dentist was shamed for posing with a lion named “Cecil” that he killed in Zimbabwe.

Solitude Taxidermy’s website shows the Carters posing for hunting photos with various dead animals.

Carolyn and Darren Carter are shown with an animal carcass in this photo posted on their company’s website. Solitude Taxidermy

The site also shows the couple’s taxidermy work on different creatures, including a polar bear.

“We are hunters, and we know the significance of great taxidermy,” the site says.

Story continues below advertisement

The couple are also listed as a husband-and-wife team on the Parkland Outdoors website.

“Darren and Carolyn are hunters and conservationists with a passion as serious as their taxidermy career,” the description says. It adds that they have travelled and hunted widely, including in Africa.

“Their new goal is to film and share their hunting experiences for people to enjoy,” the site says.

Legelela Safaris’ website lists prices for over two dozen animals including a baboon (US$200), a wildebeast ($850), a giraffe ($3,000) and a hyena ($3,500). Prices for a rhino, an elephant, a lion or a hippo can be provided on request, according to the site.

The company allows customers to shoot animals with cameras or guns.

Advertisement

Sponsored content

AdChoices