NRA pulled video of its chief repeatedly shooting elephant at point-blank range over fears of PR disaster, report claims
Wayne LaPierre shot and wounded elephant in botched hunt for promotional video
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The National Rifle Association pulled video of its chief repeatedly shooting an elephant at point-blank range over fears of PR disaster, a report claims.
Wayne LaPierre was filmed for the NRA-sponsored Under Wild Skies TV show botching the killing of the elephant on a hunt in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, according toThe New Yorker.
The hunt took place in 2013 but went so badly that it was never aired, reported the magazine alongside The Trace.
“The trip was filmed by a crew from Under Wild Skies, an NRA-sponsored television series that was meant to boost the organization’s profile among hunters — a key element of its donor base. But the program never aired, according to sources and records, because of concerns that it could turn into a public-relations fiasco,” the magazine reported.
Mr LaPierre reportedly wounded the elephant with his first shot, causing the animal to lie on its side, video obtained by the media outlets shows.
He then failed to kill the animal with a further three shots from close distance after shooting it in the wrong spot, added the magazine.
“Finally, a guide had the host of Under Wild Skies fire the shot that killed the elephant,” stated the magazine.
At a later point in the hunt Mr LaPierre’s wife, Susan, shot and killed an elephant before cutting off its tail and holding it aloft like a trophy.
“Victory,” she shouted in celebration.
“That’s my elephant tail. Way cool.”
The Trace describes itself as a “non-profit journalism outlet devoted to gun-related news in the United States.”
The Independent has reached out to the NRA for comment.
It is the latest in a string of difficulties for the gun rights group, which filed for bankruptcy protection in January and announced it was leaving New York for Texas.
That came on the heels of an August 2020 lawsuit by New York attorney general Letitia James filing a lawsuit to dissolve the NRA.
Mr LaPierre has also been accused of using the non-profit’s membership fees to pay for millions of dollars worth of designer suits and private jet flights.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments