About a quarter of a million people have signed an online petition denying Melissa Bachman--a celebrity hunter--future entry into South Africa.
Melissa Bachmman, a big game hunter, posted a photo of herself on twitter, smiling widely with a dead lion she shot and killed herself.
The photo has sparked a massive outrage among South Africans.
Cape Town resident Elan Burman launnched the online petition, including a letter written to Director General Mkuseli Apleni, and many other South African Officials.
"She is an absolute contradiction to the culture of conservation this country prides itself on," Burman wrote in the petition. "Her latest Facebook post features her with a lion she has just executed and murdered in our country. As taxpayers we demand she no longer be granted access to this country and its natural resources."
"An incredible day hunting in South Africa!" Melissa Bachman, who is from Minnesota, wrote on Facebook and Twitter last Nov. 1. "Stalked inside 60 yards on this beautiful male lion ... what a hunt!"
Big game hunting has been criticized by animal rights activists, but supporters argue that money spent by hunters on the trips boost and contribute to the local economy, and financially backs up conservation projects.
Melissa Bachman had been on a guided hunt with the Maroi Conservancy, who say that the hunt had been legal.
"We do ethical hunting and all meat from animals hunted is distributed to the local community," Maroi COnservancy said in a statement posted to facebook. "Funds generated from hunting goes towards fixing the border fence that was washed away in the 2013 floods, combating poaching, which is excessive in this area due to close proximity to Zimbabwe, and running a sustainable conservancy."
They have since added: "We are not apologizing for facilitating the [Bachman] hunt. If you are not a game farmer and struggling with dying starving animals, poaching, and no fences in place to protect your animals and crop, please refrain from making negative derogatory comments."
Melissa Bachmman hosts "Winchester's Deadly Passion," on the Pursuit Channel.
