Manicured mum slammed by activists after posing for sickening pics with dead elephants and hippos
Anna-Marie van der Westhuizen posts snaps of the slaughtered animals to Facebook
A GLAMOROUS trophy hunter poses with endangered animals she has just killed in images that will enrage animal lovers.
Mum-of-one Anna-Marie van der Westhuizen, 32, regularly posts pictures of the African beasts she has slaughtered, including elephants, hippos, lions and cheetahs.
In one snap she is seen smiling next to the lifeless body of a hippo.
While another sees her proudly posing with a dead elephant.
Other pictures include slaughtered wildebeest, crocodiles, gazelles and giraffes.
South African Van der Westhuizen kills the endangered animals for a living, running a hunting company called African Pride Hunting with husband Chris.
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Its website offers to “to cater for hunters looking for the thrill that accompanies the adrenalin-fuelled adventures of hunting dangerous game."
The company's profile says: "We hunt all across Southern African (sic), aiming to bring you the best possible hunt and delivering the best possible trophy.
"Whether it is tracking elephant on foot or the fast paced chase for lion or even playing the patience game with leopard or crocodile.
"We offer it all at affordable prices and customers tailor made packages."
Yet despite the heartbreaking images, Van der Westhuizen received messages of SUPPORT from hunting enthusiasts.
One wrote: “Bloody unreal!!! outstanding trophies congrats."
And another commented on a picture of her sitting behind a recently-killed elephant, saying: “Magnificent, and what great asset to have Anna-Marie here (perfectly framed by her splendid trophy!)."
Even when Facebook users question the morality of her hunting-spree, brazen Van der Westhuizen – who defends her hobby as good for conservation – comes out fighting.
She wrote: "Hunting is more about appreciating nature, it's more than just killing.
"We have to look after them and hunting is a tool to maintain balance."
Another defiant comment, posted by Van der Westhuizen, reads: "Dear Animal activist, Vegan, Vegetarian, Anti-hunter and not excluding every other 'If the shoe fits you"....
"THE MOUTH SPEAKS WHAT THE HEART IS FULL OFF!
"By the amount of vile messages I have received along with the disgusting comments from some; it seizes (sic) to amaze me how any of you can even feed yourselves with such filthy mouths….
"But this brings me to my question: WHO ARE YOU, TO JUDGE?
"Animal populations benefit from legal trophy hunting. Emotions don't save species, management does!"
Mimi Bekhechi, director of PETA UK, said wildlife killers face "grave consequences for pursuing their lust for blood, a grisly trophy or a macabre souvenir photo".
She said: "Anna-Marie van der Westhuizen, is a woman who smiles over the corpses of animals who wanted nothing more than to be able to go about their business and be left in peace.
"Women - and particularly mothers, like her - should be sensitive to the fact that by killing healthy "trophy animals" to mount on their walls, hunters are also potentially making orphans of juvenile animals who are left to fend for themselves.”
Van der Westhuizen has yet to respond to requests for a comment.
The sickening images come as experts warn about the threat posed to African species by hunting.
Elephants on the continent are thought to be particularly endangered, with the World Wildlife Foundation considering the species’ 470,000 individuals to be vulnerable.
Hippos are also given the same status by the animal conservation group.
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