WOMAN WHO POSED WITH A GIRAFFE’S HEART NOW FACES BACKLASH

A Limpopo woman has been met with fierce criticism from around the world after she posted photos of herself with the heart of a giraffe that she had hunted in February.

Marilize van der Merwe was with her husband on holiday at Sun City when he gifted her the chance to hunt the male giraffe as a Valentine's Gift at a nearby farm.

The 32-year old posted several photos of her and the giraffe, including one where she holds the animals' heart in her hands. She captioned the photo on Facebook by saying "ever wondered how big a giraffe’s heart is? I’m absolutely over the moon with my BIG Valentine’s present."

She said that she plans to use the giraffe's skin as a rug.

Van der Merwe has killed more than 500 animals and insists that hunting contributes to tourism in the country. According to the New York Post, van der Merwe said she posted the sickening photo to taunt the animals right lobbyists.

While animal activists around the world has called on an end to trophy hunting, van der Merwe says the kill "created work for 11 people that day" and "a lot of meat for the locals". She also added that the old giraffe's death would mean a new bull can take over and provide new, strong genetics for the herd.

Watch the News.com video below to see the images posted by Marilize van der Merwe after she hunted a giraffe and posted a photo of herself holding the animal's heart on Facebook.

Image credit: Headlines Mania