Donald Trump's sons face criticism for African hunting photos

Donald Trump Jr., left, and Eric Trump attend a preview of the Trump International Hotel Waikiki Beach Walk on Sept. 30, 2009, in New York City.

/ Joe Kohen/Getty Images

(CBS News) Donald Trump's sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric, are facing harsh criticism after photos from an African safari they went on last year surfaced. The photos  showed  the two posing with various animals they had hunted and killed, including an elephant.

"If the young Trumps are looking for a thrill, perhaps they should consider skydiving, bungee jumping, or even following their anti-hunting father's footsteps and taking down competing businesses - not wild animals," animal rights group PETA said in a statement to E! News.

So, what did Trump's sons have to say for themselves?

"We have the utmost respect for nature and have always hunted in accordance with local laws and regulations. In addition, all meat was donated to local villagers who were incredibly grateful. We love traveling and being in the woods - at the end of the day, we are outdoorsmen at heart," they said in a joint statement to E!.

The brothers went to Zimbabwe last year, and according to TMZ, they shot a variety of animals including, a crocodile, kudu, civet vat and water buck.

One of the photos that surfaced shows Donald Trump Jr. holding the tail of an elephant and a knife as he stands next to the carcass of an elephant that has a rifle leaning against it.

"Like all animals, elephants, buffalo, and crocodiles deserve better than to be killed and hacked apart for two young millionaires' grisly photo opportunity. If the Trumps want to help villagers, they have plenty of resources at their disposal," PETA continued in its statement to E!.

Donald Trump Jr. took to Twitter to continue his argument. "btw I bet the money I spend on license fees that goes back to the animals is a lot more than the antis give for sure."

The photos from their safari have since been uploaded into a Youtube video.

Trophy hunting is legal in many African countries, but many conservationists believe the practice is responsible for diminishing populations of many threatened or endangered species.

[davisjaneil]

This is truely disgusting, i can't believe the game ranger's, who should be looking after the animals of the park and who should be preventing things like this from happeneing, allowed it and have the audasity to pose in the photo's with these spoilt brat rich kids. Money does not buy everything, did your parents never teach you this? What goes around comes around. You can't pay your way to our precious land Africa and start hunting animals as you feel fit, and that 3 of our BIG 5. I hope PETA wins this war and you guys get the punished you deserve!

[mick7744]

If you ever wish to know what God thinks of money, just look at what scumbags He (or She) gave it to...

[SafariBob]

Next time you visit Africa on a human rights trip, a safari, or a mission trip, ask the locals how they feel about western hunters and the food and income streams they provide their villages...and ask the children how many of their little friends and family members have been killed by elephants and or other herds...and ask the game preserves where the $$$ come from to quash the poaching of endangered animals sought by the asians...all other questions are irrelevant.

[Jesus_to_ground_control]

Fire!

The Trump's and their rich friends do not have to hunt anymore for food. Now they kill for pleasure...

[Daddyd999999999]

I just went on safari for over a month in Africa in 4 different countries. Seeing leopards and elephants roaming wild and free was the most amazing experience in my life. I cannot fathom shooting them for sport. It makes me sick. These spoiled little brats are such losers. Maybe they should join the Japanese whalers and go harpoon humpback whales, too. Sport my ass. Sport is a fair contest. What is fair about shooting a leopard out of a tree with a scoped rifle. PATHETIC.

[louise61003]

I am amazed this has not created more news...I have a message for Eric and Donald, Jr YOU ARE FIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I plan to boycott any advertisers on their APPRENTICE . They should be ashamed of themselves.

[AwShucksMam]

Hey Donald Jr. and Eric, if you are seeking another thrill once you become bored with getting your kicks from killing leopards and elephants then I have a suggestion. You two should go to the top of one of Daddy's skyscrapers and JUMP OFF!!! Many people, including myself, would consider watching you horrible creeps plunge to be an awesome thrill. Good riddance.

[LeslieLuise]

The Trump kids don't have to please any one but themselves! And they really don't care what the general public thinks of their behavior.
So, they hunt and kill wild animals and people like Kim Kardashian wear real fur and flaunt it as much as possible. Having money doesn't mean you have character, morals, values and compassion for all living things. Excuses run rampant for their bad choices, no matter what they are. Nothing has changed ... it's always been this way. No surprises here.

[ProudCitizenOfAmerica]

Say hello to America's own sick version of brothers Uday and Qusay Hussein.

I guess when you've had access to every other decadence available only to the super rich for your whole life and you are not actually in need of anything, but love from your wig-headed orange-skinned daddy, the only thing left is to kill for the sick thrill you get from it.

These sick spoiled little jock-tards should be thrown into with a cage of hungry lions without their little pop-guns, boy scout knives, or daddy's check book to help them get out trouble, then we'll see how much they enjoy and approve of sport hunting after seeing it from the other side's point of view. Oh yeah, they won't be around to talk about it anymore... oh well... no loss... call it "sport" I guess.

[LucyMaeEthel]

I cannot believe someone would actually kill and elephant when we are trying so hard so save every elephant we can. I used to think Donald Trump was a person to listen to. Now I will turn off the TV when he is on. SHAME, SHAME, SHAME, those pictures make me SICK!!!