Richard Burdon, gamekeeper and owner of New Zealand's Glen Den Hunting and Fishing, recently received death threats for his plans to host American huntress Sabrina Cortagelli, reported the International Business Times. Burden is the owner of the Central Otago station in New Zealand and was planning on hosting Cortagelli to discuss her recent spotlight in the media. Burdon says that the threats are a part of an aggressive social media campaign.
"These people are out there aggressively using social media," he said. "It's not about hunting, or ethical hunting ... I can't even repeat what some of the people have been saying."
In addition to the death threats he personally received, one of Burdon's agents in the United States has also received them, reported TVNZ.
Cortagelli recently drew criticism after she posted photos of herself beside a dead giraffe from her hunting expedition. The criticism comes in light of the recent outcry surrounding the death of Cecil, a protected lion that was killed by dentist Walter Palmer.
Cortagelli wrote about the planned New Zealand hunting trip back in June on her Facebook page.
Despite the international condemnation that she received, Cortagelli stands by her decision to kill the giraffe.
"Everybody just thinks we're cold-hearted killers," she said. "It's not that. There is a connection with the animal, and just because we hunt them doesn't mean we don't have a respect for them. Giraffes are very dangerous animals. They could hurt you seriously very quickly."
