Shooting an Elephant in the Face - Shame on NBC

On 9/25, I wrote this email to NBC executives:

"Dear NBC and NBC Sports,

I was disgusted to learn about the episode of "Under Wild Skies," in which Tony Makris shoots an elephant in the face, killing a sensitive, intelligent animal who has strong family ties, not unlike those of humans.  

I find it an absolute outrage and incredibly irresponsible to air such a show and glorify the killing of an elephant, particularly when these majestic creatures are being slaughtered for their ivory tusks and driven to the brink of extinction in the African wilderness.

Do you and the show's producers and backers have any awareness whatsoever about the plight of elephants? Have you read about the connection between the slaughter of elephants and the funding of terrorists, responsible most recently for the killing spree in Nairobi? How could anyone in good conscience glorify killing an elephant when this is the reality? 

I am not blaming this heartless, cowardly, sociopathic kill for the current plight of the species, but Tony Makris and the show's producers, backers, and advertisers show the same soulless disregard as the criminal syndicates enriched by blood ivory who are wreaking havoc on a species. Is this really the face NBC Sports and NBC want to project? This is what you call "sport"?

Shame on Tony Makris. Shame on Under Wild Skies. Shame on Outdoor Channel. Shame on NBC Sports. Shame on NBC. Shame on anyone associated with this show. 

There is absolutely no justification whatsoever for airing this horrific excuse for entertainment. This show should be cancelled."

That afternoon, I got this response:

"Thanks for writing to us. 

We take viewer feedback seriously, and we will not air that particular episode of Under Wild Skies again.  We’re also taking a close look at our internal standards as part of this process. 

While this form of hunting is legal, we understand many find it objectionable.

Thanks again for your concern."

Today I wrote this response:

"Dear Mr. Hughes,

Thank you for your response. I appreciate that NBC has chosen not to re-air the “Under Wild Skies” episode in which an elephant gets shot in the face. But it’s cold comfort knowing the sadist who callously and gleefully killed this majestic animal still has a platform to glorify murdering other African animals, that now the viewing public can look forward to watching lions and leopards and the "last legal Cape buffalo in Botswana's Okavango Delta" get slaughtered on your network. 

I’m well aware that the horrendous act of shooting an elephant in the face is legal. That speaks to the stronghold the NRA has on laws regulating hunting around the world, rather than those laws reflecting the values of most people, who find this show deeply offensive. 

While people around the world will march on October 4th to raise awareness about wildlife crime and the slaughter against elephants, NBC will continue to promote an ignorant man who took great pleasure in slaughtering one. 

You’re in positions of incredible privilege and power, and this is what you choose to do with it?!

Greed fuels the ivory trade, and clearly greed fuels NBC’s decision to keep this cruel, heartless show on the air. Great to know you line your pockets with the bloody carcasses of noble, magnificent animals. 

Here's your star, comparing his critics to Hitler: http://mm4a.org/1dNWjUb 

And here's what people think of your choice to support his show: https://www.facebook.com/saveallelephants/posts/530605813685183

I’m sorry, but it’s hard to feel anything but disgust toward NBC."

Let me know if you want to write to NBC executives to tell them what you think. I have a list of their emails to share with you.