Internet Cheers African Trophy Hunter’s Murder. But Was He Really a Wildlife Savior?

By Selwyn Duke

“Hunter Was Hunted,” reads the headline. The story concerns the murder of professional “trophy hunter” Riaan Naude, found shot to death next to his Toyota truck, which had become disabled on a lonely hinterland road in Limpopo, South Africa. The killers, two men we’re told, fled in a vehicle after stealing the victim’s firearm. But apparently there are some other people with as little regard for Naude’s life as the murderers:

Most of those commenting on his death on the Internet.

Evoking this reaction is that Naude ran the business Pro Hunt Africa, which offers “eco-hunting” safaris in which people pay hefty sums to bag African wildlife, including giraffes and “Big Five” game such as lions and rhinos. Pictures of Naude posing with such felled creatures inspired comments at MSN.com such as “It’s called Karma. Good riddance” and “Yes, good riddance to BAD RUBBISH. One less useless human mouth to feed.” But what if, just perhaps, something seemingly unthinkable is the case?

What if Naude was actually serving as a wildlife savior?

Read the rest here.