South African woman poses with giraffe's body and heart

South African woman poses with giraffe's body and heart

A South African woman shared photos of a dead giraffe and his heart that she describes as "the perfect" Valentine's Day gift.

Woman with giraffe's heart
Facebook/ Merelize van der Merwe

WARNING: This article contains graphic images. 

A hunter is facing furious backlash on social media for posing with the heart of a giraffe  – describing the bloody organ as her “perfect” Valentine’s Day present.

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Merelize van der Merwe infuriated Facebook users when she shared the gruesome images of her present. 

The hunter wrote in a Facebook post that she and her husband went to a game park when she fatally shot the 17-year-old animal. 

She explained that the hunt for a "big black giraffe bull" is something she had pursued since 2016.

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Posted by Merelize van der Merwe on Saturday, February 13, 2021

Van der Merwe also shared photos of the giraffe's heart. 

“Ever wondered how big a giraffe’s heart is? I’m absolutely over the moon with my BIG valentine’s present,” she wrote.

Woman with giraffe's heart
Facebook/ Merelize van der Merwe

Van der Merwe has killed at least 500 animals, including lions, leopards, and elephants.

She told the Mirror that her photos were intended to cause trouble among animal rights activists. 

“I have no respect for them – I call them the mafia."

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Images:  Facebook/ Merelize van der Merwe

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