Spotted! Elephants on 11 PETA Billboards in South Africa Plead, ‘Leave Us in Peace’

Hunting animals for a “trophy” is nothing more than sadistic violence. That’s why PETA has put up 11 anti–trophy hunting billboards featuring elephants across South Africa after video footage was released of an American trophy hunter gunning down a young elephant on land adjacent to South Africa’s Kruger National Park, where no hunting is allowed. The hunter, who paid US$30,000 for the perverse experience, shot the elephant in the head at least five times, causing the animal to rumble in distress. It’s not known how long it took the elephant to die.

The billboards, sponsored by Primedia Outdoor, can be seen in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Krugersdorp, Pretoria, and Sandton.

After viewing the video, El Al Israel Airlines has confirmed that it has banned the practice of shipping hunting trophies.

Speak Out Against Trophy Hunting

Trophy hunters kill millions of animals every year and have contributed to the extinction of species all over the world, including the Tasmanian tiger and the great auk. Unlike natural predators, who kill primarily sick and weak individuals, trophy hunters specifically seek out large, healthy animals who are needed to keep populations strong.

All animals are beloved by their own families, but to trophy hunters, they are merely collections of body parts and theirs to kill—often slowly and painfully. The animals are then decapitated, and their heads are displayed on walls. Trophy hunters also have a perverted sense of themselves and nature. They lack empathy, compassion, and respect for wild animals, who just want to be left in peace.

Please share this post and always speak out against trophy hunting!