Many of you have probably heard of Kendall Jones by now. Jones is a 19-year-old Texas Tech cheerleader who has been hunting big game in Africa with her father for years. She recently started posting photos of her kills on Facebook, sparking outrage across the globe.
Jones, who grew up on a ranch in Texas, has taken down everything from lions to elephants. She also recently tranquilized a white rhino and claims to have assisted a veterinarian with taking blood samples and administering antibiotics. All of this information is available on Jones’ Facebook page.
In addition to the backlash she has received, Jones has drummed up support from thousands of hunting enthusiasts. On of them is former Atlanta Braves star Chipper Jones.
So people got nothing better to do than to crucify a 19 yr old Kendall Jones bcuz she hunts big game with her father? Free country huggers!!
— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) July 2, 2014
Had a tweeter drop these words on me in response to Kendall Jones. Barbaric, sadist and exterminate! I got a word for you…..Prozac!
— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) July 2, 2014
I personally wouldn't do it, but I'm pretty sure people been hunting Africa for a long time. Populations seem to be doing fine.
— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) July 2, 2014
Jones, who said she is shocked at how many death threats and hateful comments she has had directed toward her on social media sites, argues that hunters provide financial resources for wildlife conservation areas in countries like Tanzania. She is hoping to host a hunting TV show at some point in the near future.
“The show will not only be a hunting show but will also highlight conservation and hope to educate people and give them an understanding of how hunting and wildlife conservation go hand in hand,” Jones told the Cleburne Times-Review. “There is not a hunter out there that doesn’t care about wildlife. In the U.S. alone, hunting and fishing generate $87 billion a year into the economy. Much of this money goes to game management, game wardens, habitat preservation and anti poaching.”
Jones also says hunting helps protect villages in Zimbabwe and provides locals with resources needed to survive.
“There are many parts of Zimbabwe where there in an abundant population of leopard that wreak havoc on the livestock of the farmers in the village,” she explained. “Instead of the villagers killing the leopards to prevent livestock damage, permits are sold to hunters to do this for them. These people live in mud huts and have no electricity. The money derived from hunting is badly needed to help provide the bare necessities such as water and shelter.”
You can obviously see how polarizing of a figure Jones has become in a short amount of time. Some argue that she is simply killing animals and posting photos of it on Facebook to gain popularity, while others support her wildlife conservation efforts. We’ll let you decide which team you’re on.
Photo: Facebook/Kendall Jones
