AN AMERICAN hunter who caused outrage after posting photos of goats and sheep she killed on a Scottish island has said she will never apologise for her actions and called for an end to death threats against her.
Television presenter Larysa Switlyk, 33, received global criticism after she and a companion were pictured smiling with the animal which they shot on the Isle of Islay.
She proudly described how she had spent two days hunting goat on the island before fatally wounding one with a '200 yard shot' using a long-range rifle.
The pictures caused fury with a politicians, celebrities, island residents and outraged members of the public calling for an end to the practice.
Following the furore, Switlyk said she was "headed out on a bush plane for my next hunting adventure" and would be out of service for a fortnight.
She has now taken to social media again to defend her actions and thank fellow hunters who supported her.
Posting a photo of herself holding a cut of meat, she said: "Nature is my super market - fresh organic wild meat with no steroids, hormones or antibiotics.
"This is where my meat comes from, do you know where your meat comes from? I’ll never apologise for being a hunter! Hunters Unite - THANK YOU to my fellow hunters not afraid to have a voice.
"The amazing thing about social media is if you don’t like my photos you don’t have to follow me or you can even block me.
"Everyone is entitled to their opinion but threats on my life and violent fantasies against me have to stop. It’s upsetting to see how much hate is in this world just because people have different views on things."
The television presenter also posed with a stag which she killed on a stalking trip in the Highlands and told how she was looking forward to chefs cooking it at the castle where she was staying.
A petition has been launched online calling for the government to ban trophy hunting in Scotland.
The Scottish government has said that it will review the law on animal culling after the response to the images.
Switlyk is a former accountant who left her job in New York City to pursue her passion for hunting and fishing, and now hosts Larysa Unleashed in the US.
The show follows her around the world and she also organises hunting trips.
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