French couple lose their supermarket franchise after photos of them shooting big game in Africa spark outrage
A French couple has sparked outrage after pictures of them hunting big game in Africa emerged online, with the strong backlash forcing them to sell their supermarket franchise. Jacques Alboud and wife Martine were pictured in Tanzania years ago after hunting lions, leopards, buffalo and hippos and standing atop their corpses, Daily Mail reports.
While the images are old, they surfaced on social media this week. Critics subsequently called for a boycott of their store -- a Super U franchise in L’Arbresle -- and the couple received several death threats. Furthermore, the Super U parent company also condemned their activities, saying their actions were "in total opposition with the values defended by us."
A spokesman later added, "We condemn them even if they are private activities."
Since the backlash, the Super U group has committed to working towards "a better respect for aquatic and terrestrial resources" around the world.
And on Tuesday, the company announced Jacques and Martine would leave the business immediately. "Totally opposed to private hunting safari activities by associates, Super U announces that they will leave with immediate effect," a spokesman said. "Measures to support their employees and take over their stores are put in place."
The couple is yet to respond to a request for comment.
Following the hunt, Martine Alboud posted a testimonial on the Safari organizer's website.
"Thanks to Pierré van Tonder for his welcome and the perfect flawless organization of our safari in the wild bush of the Selous," he wrote. "Thanks to Clinton for his passion and his patience which allowed me to have such a successful, beautiful and fun safari, with top leopard and top crocodile! We will be back with Pierré and Clinton van Tonder!"
Pierre van Tonder Big Game Safaris offers a variety of hunting packages ranging from $17,000 up to $43,000. A buffalo trophy hunt costs $3,000 a pop, while one can hunt hartebeest for $1,200. Furthermore, a leopard kill costs over $7,000, while crocodiles go for $3,800 and hippos for $3,400. Animal activists are highly opposed to big game hunting in Africa, arguing it is a cruel sport that is devastating to wildlife.
On the other hand, pro-hunting groups claim the safaris bring in a lot of funds to help conserve threatened African species.