Woman kills Lion

A ‘sadistic’ hunter has sparked outrage after showing off her blood covered hands after killing a mountain lion.

Animal activist group Prairie Protection Colorado posted images showing Franchesca Esplin smiling with the slain animal after a cruel trophy hunt.

Other photos show the 28-year-old from Colorado, USA aiming a rifle into snow covered woods hoping to shoot down a mountain lion.

The mother said the big cat that she slaughtered was at the “top of my bucket list forever”.

Prairie Protection Colorado also shared a post from Ms Esplin’s Facebook page, which has since been deleted.

Here she happily talked about her “amazing” hunt.

Three men caught abusing pigs at farm in horrifying footage avoid jail

Ms Esplin said: “Thank you to all those that helped out, you guys have NO idea how happy I am.

“I can see why this hunt is addicting.”

She spoke of her delight about her trophy kill, and thanked the houndsmen who helped her “harvest this amazing tom” and added that she was “still on cloud 9”.

The married mother and taxidermist by trade, took part in the hunt in December 2018.

Since then, her cruel act has sparked public outrage amongst animal activists, who have launched a petition asking authorities to ban mountain hunting.

Animal activist group Prairie Protection Colorado wrote an angry post against Ms Esplin on their Facebook page, calling her a “sadistic” killer.

The group wrote: “This is the mentality of people who kill predator species for sport and fun.

“Make no mistake that Colorado’s wildlife policies and officials support this insane looting of Colorado’s wildlife.

“We have to do more than get angry and type about it on Facebook. We need to all come together to start the process of changing laws.”

Under the Department of Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s rules, it is not illegal to hunt on mountains.

However hunters must obtain a lion license and bring it with them during the hunt.

Each hunter is allowed to harvest one bobcat per season.

Appearing on US news channel Fox 31 Denver, Ms Esplin argued that her hunt was “completely legal”.

Officials from Colorado Parks and Wildlife agreed, saying she did not commit an offence or violate any laws.