Texas Police Department Faces Backlash for photo of Officer Posing with Killed Mountain Lion
The Longview Police Department in Texas has sparked controversy after posting a photograph of an officer smiling and holding a dead mountain lion. The animal was struck and killed by the officer’s patrol vehicle in the early hours of December 10.
According to the Texas Parks and wildlife Department,the mountain lion,a female estimated to be between three and four years old and weighing 83.5 pounds, had to be euthanized at the scene due to the severity of its injuries.
Before the mountain lion’s body was removed by biologists and a Gregg County game warden, the officer who hit the animal posed for a photo with it. This image, shared on the department’s Facebook page the following day, drew immediate criticism.The incident was also reported by the USA Today Network.
many social media users condemned the photo as “tasteless,” “sad,” and ”in poor taste,” with some arguing that such encounters with wildlife should not be turned into photo opportunities. One Facebook user commented, “Probably not the best picture to publish…posting pictures of them with the big cat and smiles of joy on their face is just bad form.”
However, some defended the officer, stating that the photo raised awareness about the increasing number of mountain lion sightings in Texas.
The incident highlights a broader discussion about the ethics of wildlife selfies. Research suggests that the popularity of such photos is contributing to the exploitation of animals. A study found that 40% of wildlife selfies posted online qualify as “bad selfies,” defined as images where people hug, hold, or inappropriately interact with wild animals. A “good” wildlife selfie, on the other hand, involves no contact between humans and animals, and the animal is not restrained or used as a prop.
image credits: Header photo via Facebook/ Longview Police Department
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