Big game hunter who happily poses with dead rhinos, giraffes and elephants he's shot is given a job in CONSERVATION

  • Jewell Crossberg appointed to conservation role in Esperance, Western Australia
  • Photo album 'business and pleasure' shows him posing with dead animals
  • Mr Crossberg is seen resting a dead giraffe's head on his knee in one photo
  • Another photo shows him posing with a dead zebra and an elephant in another 

By Aidan Wondracz For Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:

A big game shooter who proudly posed with the dead carcasses of giraffes, elephants and rhinos has been hired to be a state government conservationist. 

Jewell Crossberg was recently appointed acting district manager of the Western Australian Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions in Esperance, on the state's south coast.

A Facebook album titled 'business and pleasure' has surfaced showing Mr Crossberg standing over dead giraffes, rhinos and zebras he's shot at South African game reserve in 2010.

Mr Crossberg kneels down next to the corpse of a giraffe (pictured) with a rifle in one hand. He has no been hired as a conservationist with the WA government

Mr Crossberg kneels down next to the corpse of a giraffe (pictured) with a rifle in one hand. He has no been hired as a conservationist with the WA government

A state government conservationist has come under fire after pictures showed him armed and posing with dead animals (pictured, Jewell Crossberg with a dead elephant)

A state government conservationist has come under fire after pictures showed him armed and posing with dead animals (pictured, Jewell Crossberg with a dead elephant)

In one photo, Mr Crossberg kneels down next to the corpse of a giraffe with a rifle in one hand.

The head of the dead animal rests over his knee while Mr Crossberg smiles for the camera.

Mr Crossberg is also seen posing with a dead zebra in one photo, and grinning behind a felled elephant in another one.  

The album has since sparked outrage and calls have been made for Mr Crossberg to be removed from his role in the conservation department.

Mr Crossberg will be acting as the Parks and Wildlife manager in Esperance where he will be responsible for looking after the wildlife and natural assets in the district.

Mr Crossberg (pictured) is seen posing with a dead zebra during at a reservation in South Africa, ten years before he started the conservation job

Mr Crossberg (pictured) is seen posing with a dead zebra during at a reservation in South Africa, ten years before he started the conservation job

Though an online petition has called for him to be removed from the position.  

'A man for sees [sic] no issue with hunting endangered and threatened species should not be in a role protecting Australia's native flora and fauna, as he clearly lacks the judgement to do so, despite the photos being taken at a South African Hunting lodge, where such hunts are legal,' the petition reads. 

The petition quotes a letter from concerned citizens of Esperance, calling for immediate action against Mr Crossberg. 

'We the citizens of Esperance are very concerned about the recent appointment of Jewell Crossberg,' the letter reads.

'We think the director Jason Foster has made a very bad judgement call.

Though a Facebook album titled 'business and pleasure' has surfaced online and shows Mr Crossberg (pictured, Mr Crossberg at the game ranch in 2010 with a dead rhino)

Though a Facebook album titled 'business and pleasure' has surfaced online and shows Mr Crossberg (pictured, Mr Crossberg at the game ranch in 2010 with a dead rhino)

'We are so disappointed to see Mr Crossberg is not a true conservationist and shouldn't be in a position of this standing.' 

The department said in a statement Mr Crossberg had gone through a competitive recruitment process and that it was committed to wildlife conservation.

'The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions is committed to wildlife conservation and ensuring world’s best animal welfare practices.

'Jewell Crossberg went through a competitive recruitment process and demonstrated he had the appropriate skills for the acting district manager role.' 

Mr Crossberg has since deleted his Facebook page. 

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