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Sabrina
Corgatelli, an accountant for Idaho State University, appeared
on NBC's "Today” show on Monday to defend trophy hunting amid
mounting international outrage over last month's killing of
Cecil, Zimbabwe's most famous lion, by an American dentist.
"Everybody thinks we're cold-hearted killers and it's not that,"
Corgatelli said in the nationally televised interview. "There is
a connection to the animal, and just because we hunt them
doesn’t mean we don't have a respect for them. Giraffes are very
dangerous animals. They could hurt you seriously, very quickly."
Corgatelli first drew attention from a series of photos
circulated via her Facebook account that showed her standing
proudly with various animals she bagged in South Africa,
including an impala, a warthog and a wildebeest.
"Day #2 I got an amazing old Giraffe. Such an amazing animal!!!
I couldn't be happier," Corgatelli gushed in a caption to one
image showing the slumped carcass draped around her.
Her photos and upbeat commentary were juxtaposed with a torrent
of hostile remarks posted by viewers who "liked" her Facebook
entries in order to weigh in with denunciations such as: "Shame
on you for slaughtering innocent animals."
Idaho State issued a statement on Monday distancing itself from
the controversy, saying it was not a university matter.
The outcry surrounding Corgatelli reverberated as fallout
continued over the killing of Cecil the lion, with Zimbabwe's
environment minister calling on Friday for extradition of
Minneapolis dentist, Walter Palmer, 55, to face poaching
charges.
Palmer has admitted killing the 13-year-old lion, which was
fitted with a satellite-tracking collar, but said in a statement
that he had hired professional guides and believed the required
hunting permits were in order.
Ashley Byrne, a spokesman for People for the Ethical Treatment
of Animals, said Palmer and Corgatelli have put the spotlight on
expensive, guided tours overseas in which foreign clients are
guaranteed a kill by local outfitters.
"These are self-promoting nobodies who pay a lot of money to
travel the world to kill animals, just for thrills and to hang
animal parts on their walls," she said.
(Editing by Steve Gorman)
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