These images shocked the world as the Spanish Monarch (right) stands over his kill on a recent hunting trip to Botswana.

Following a worldwide scandal that erupted a few days ago, as reported on 2oceansVibe, Spain’s King Juan Carlos finally issued an apology this morning for the hunting trip he took to Africa recently where he shot live game on a private reserve in Botswana, including elephants. The scandal might never have come to light if he hadn’t had an accident during the trip and had to be taken back to Spain for emergency hip surgery.

Images (such as the one above) were released of the Spanish Monarch and his hunter-guide, Jeff Rann of Botswana-based Rann Safaris, standing next to the carcass of a slain elephant, as well as dead water buffalos.

Usually the Spanish media treat the Royal family with a modicum of respect, but the images released a barrage of criticism of Juan Carlos, who is also Honorary President of the Spanish branch of the WWF (World Wildlife Fund), an organisation that considers African elephants a vulnerable species. Debate is raging whether he should be asked to leave the post.

The other major criticism levelled at the Monarch is the extravagance of the trip, especially galling to the Spanish people as they are currently being forced to endure heavy spending cuts and austerity measures as the government in Madrid desperately tries to salvage the Spanish economy. A safari like the one Juan Carlos went on can cost upwards of $8700 a day, not to mention the thousands more it costs to fell big game like elephants.

“We are deeply sensitive to the serious damage this outcry is causing to our credibility, particularly over the protection of elephants and other species,” Juan Carlos told reporters as he was leaving hospital, continuing, “I am very sorry. I made a mistake and it won’t happen again.”

[Sources: CNN, Digital Journal, Guardian]