Outrage erupts as footage emerges showing retired French professional footballer Pascal Olmeta, who played for teams including Olympique de Marseille, hunting and killing a bull elephant in Zimbabwe
AÂ shocking video has emerged showing French former goalkeeper, Pascal Olmeta, as part of a hunting trip that kills an elephant by shooting it in the head before laughing and congratulating each other.
The former Marseille and Lyon footballer advertised photos of the trip on his children’s charity website ans said took part in the hunt because they are over-populated.
The four-minute clip shows the footballer and a guide both armed with rifles tracking an elephant before shooting.
With the animal crying in pain on the ground in Zimbabwe, the fatal bullet is shot straight through the elephant’s head, and the pair laugh, congratulate and pose for pictures with its carcass.
Olmeta, 55, who played for both Lyon and Marseille in the 1990s, is congratulated by the guide from Christophe Morio Safaris, who says: ‘Pascal is the best. Well done,’ as the pair embrace.Â
The video shows the elegant animals in the wild with a serene backing track.
But after two minutes and 40 seconds of footage, it takes a sinister turn and the music stops as the men hunt the elephant.
After the first bullet is fired, the soundtrack becomes the heartbreaking wailing of the animal as it fights for its life.
A second bullet is fired straight through its head and after the guide pokes it twice with the end of his rifle to make sure it is dead, the pair embrace in celebration.
The video was from a trip to Africa in 2011 and photos of his travels are advertised on the website of his children’s charity A Smile, A Hope For Life.
Among other projects, the website states that he wishes to build a house for disabled children to come on holiday on his native island of Corsica.
Olmeta, 55, who played for both Lyon and Marseille in the 1990s, is congratulated by the guide from Christophe Morio Safaris, who says: ‘Pascal is the best. Well done,’ as the pair embrace
The goalkeeper played down the video, saying he only shot the animal because of overpopulation in Zimbabwe
Masha Kalinina, International Trade Policy Specialist with animal charity Humane Society International, said: “As the world faces an elephant poaching crisis, with around 100 elephants poached every day, it is absolutely sickening to see anyone celebrating taking even one innocent life of this magnificent species.
‘And for what? All in the name of fun?
‘This hunt took place in Zimbabwe, a country notorious for corruption where none of the money Olmeta spent on this hunt is likely to have made it to conservation efforts, but instead will have likely lined the pockets of corrupt officials.
‘As a sportsman, Olmeta has let himself down because there was nothing sportsmanlike about subjecting this wild elephant to a frightening and agonizing death.
‘The animal’s cries of pain contrasted with Olmeta’s disgusting joy at having killed him, are truly shocking.
‘Our society no longer finds this unethical behaviour acceptable and the negative reaction this callous killing is receiving is proof of that.’
Masha Kalinina, International Trade Policy Specialist with animal charity Humane Society International, has slammed the video of the elephant (pictured) being shot
The goalkeeper played down the video, saying he only shot the animal because of overpopulation in Zimbabwe.
In a statement released in reaction to the video resurfacing, he said:Â ‘Elephants cause irreparable damage to the houses.
‘They are also the cause of many deaths among the local populations.’
Olmeta is said to be friends with Eric Cantona and even played for the Rest of the World in two Manchester United testimonials.
The first for the Munich air disaster in 1998 and then Sir Alex Ferguson’s testimonial the following year.
In 2010, he played in goal for United in a charity game for Sport Relief.