Wildlife manager who was pictured posing with dead animals at a South African game lodge is sacked after minister said images made him 'feel physically sick'
- Wildlife conservation manager pictured with shot African animals has been fired
- Jewell Crossberg was appointed acting district manager at a WA wildlife agency
- WA's Environment Minister said the images of the shot animals made him 'sick'
A West Australian government appointed wildlife conservationist who was pictured posing over dead endangered animals has been fired.
Jewell Crossberg was recently appointed acting district manager in Esperance at the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attraction.
Images surfaced on Mr Crossberg's Facebook page since his appointment showing himself posing with dead giraffes, zebras and elephants in 2010 posted in an album labelled 'business and pleasure'.
Director Mark Webb from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attraction announced on Friday that Mr Crossberg was removed from his position.
'The images published in the media last week are not reflective of the department's values or the outstanding wildlife conservation work that our partners, staff and volunteers deliver across Western Australia every day,' he said in a statement.
Jewell Crossberg was recently appointed acting district manager in Esperance at the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attraction
Images surfaced on Mr Crossberg's Facebook page since his appointment showing himself posing with dead giraffes, zebras and elephants in 2010
'Future recruitment undertakings, particularly for leadership positions within the department, will prioritise strong values alignment with the department and any potential successful applicant.'
The images have since been deleted.
WA's Environment Minister Stephen Dawson had raised questions about the employment of Crossberg after Esperance residents wrote a letter outlining concerns about his past.
'The photos were taken in 2010 in a place where it was legal, unfortunately, to shoot these majestic animals,' he told 6PR radio.
'At this stage, I'm not aware of anything illegal that's been done. But we're a conservation agency and it just shocks me to think that any of our staff would do such a thing.
'Those pictures make me physically sick.'
Mr Dawson said the state's Public Sector Management Act precluded politicians from getting involved in the hiring and firing of staff.
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'I certainly don't think it's a good look to have such a person in a senior leadership role ... so I've asked the director-general to consider what can be done in this regard,' he said.
In a statement, the DBCA said it was 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,' a spokesperson said.
Premier Mark McGowan previously said he was appalled by the images and hated rare and endangered animals being deliberately killed.
'Obviously, we will have to investigate how he was appointed and why he was appointed,' he told reporters.
'I don't understand how you can have that mindset and still work in a conservation agency.'
Premier Mark McGowan previously said he was appalled by the images and hated rare and endangered animals being deliberately killed
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