A female trophy hunter has ignited controversy by offering discounted hunts for endangered leopards in Namibia. Larysa Switlyk, a known figure in the hunting community, reduced the price for shooting a leopard on safari from £24,300 to £17,000. This promotion has reached thousands of individuals in the United Kingdom and beyond, accompanied by graphic images of hunters posing with the carcasses of leopards.
Switlyk, who leads the company Unleashed Global Adventures, has faced backlash from animal rights advocates, particularly after previously calling British critics “ignorant.” The hunting package includes professional tracking assistance, accommodations at a safari lodge, meals, and flights from Johannesburg to Namibia.
Outcry from Animal Rights Activists
Animal welfare campaigners have denounced Switlyk’s actions, labeling her a “notorious and prolific hunter.” Eduardo Goncalves, founder of the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting, expressed his dismay, stating, “Leopards are among the world’s most endangered species, according to CITES. It is shocking that this notorious huntress should be selling bargain-basement deals to shoot them for fun.” He called for her to be banned from entering the UK.
Goncalves emphasized the urgency of protecting endangered species, adding, “Companies like hers who sell innocent and endangered animals to bloodthirsty trophy hunters should be forced to close.” Switlyk’s promotional materials feature images of her with a variety of killed animals, including a white rhino, crocodiles, and various birds and antelopes.
International Hunting Practices Under Scrutiny
In addition to her hunts in Namibia, Switlyk’s company also offers hunting trips in Scotland, where hunters can pay to kill wild goats, Scottish Red Stags, and deer. Her activities have raised eyebrows in the UK as well. In 2018, she faced criticism from the RSPCA for shooting wild animals in Norfolk while leading an all-female hunting party. Images of her posing with recently killed soay sheep and other animals sparked outrage, prompting the RSPCA to state, “The killing of an animal cannot be classed as ‘sport’ of any kind.”
Further controversies arose when she was reported to prosecutors in Scotland for firearms offenses after shooting wild goats on a remote island. Despite the backlash, Switlyk remains unapologetic. In a social media post, she dismissed her critics and expressed her intent to continue her hunting pursuits, stating, “Nothing better than disconnecting from this social media-driven world and connecting back with nature.”
The ongoing debates surrounding her hunting activities highlight a broader conversation about wildlife conservation and the ethical implications of trophy hunting. As Switlyk continues to promote her hunting opportunities, the response from the public and regulatory bodies remains to be seen.
