NBC Sports Network cancels controversial NRA-sponsored show in which host Tony Makris kills an elephant after Makris compares his critics to Hitler

UNITED STATES -- NBC Sports Network has decided to cancel a hunting show after the host, a lobbyist for the National Rifle Association, likened his critics to Adolf Hitler.

The network sparked outrage after airing an episode of Tony Makris's show, 'Under Wild Skies,' in which Makris kills an African elephant by shooting it in the face [several times] and then celebrates the hunt by drinking champagne. 

The elephant, filmed before being shot in the face several times and killed

In response to his critics, Makris went on an NRA-sponsored radio show and accused them of 'animal racism' for jumping to the defense of elephants as opposed to other animals.

'And [critics] said but they're so big and special and they're smarter. And I went, you know, Hitler would have said the same thing,' he said.

NBC Sports has canceled 'Under Wild Skies' as a result of his remarks.

'"Under Wild Skies" will no longer air on NBC Sports Sports Network due to the program’s close association with its host, whose recent comments comparing his critics to Hitler are outrageous and unacceptable,' the network told Deadspin in a statement. 'NBCSN will continue to air all of our other quality outdoor programming.'

The episode where Makris kills an elephant is filmed in Botswana, where elephant hunting remains legal until 2014, when a new law against hunting the endangered animals kicks into effect.

In a highlighted reel from the show, Makris and the guide are shown hiding behind brush about 20 feet away from the animal. They talk about shooting it in the face before Makris fires a couple shots.

'I'm bent over literally shootin' through a hole in the trees,' he says to the guide, just before firing the two shots.

He hits the animal, but does not kill it. The elephant cries out in pain and runs off, but doesn't get far enough away to escape its fate.

Makris fires another shot and the animal lets out a long, loud groan. Then Makris begins chuckling.

'Somebody got a little cheeky there,' he says breathlessly, apparently referring to the elephant's struggle to stay alive.

'Can we shoot some birds this afternoon, or...?' he adds.

In the next shot, Makris and the hunting guide are standing next to the lifeless elephant. 

'You snuck us right in this guy's bedroom,' Makris says, marveling at his work. 'I mean look at this, this is where he hangs out!'

Makris describes shooting the elephant in the face repeatedly

'He didn't know we were here, but what a hunt!' Afterwards, the men celebrate by drinking champagne.

Deadspin, which first reported on the show, points out that a ban on hunting elephants is set to go into effect in Botswana in 2014.

Some NBC Sports viewers are now calling on the network to cancel the show.

Twitter user Mike Potter called NBC's airing of the show 'outrageous, obscene, unforgivable and just plain wrong.'

Another user added: 'Shame on you for "Under Wild Skies." Elephants are endangered and this is NOT a sport. I will no longer watch NBC Sports.'

User Alex Kenney tweeted, 'You aired an elephant being shot in the face?...for sport? If I find out this 'Under Wild Skies' show isn't cancelled GOODBYE [NBC Sports Network].'

Does this take bravery? To be driven to where the elephant is grazing, shoot
it in the face over and over and then congratulate himself on what a brave
hunter he believes himself to be?

On Facebook, David Dunaway posted to the 'Under Wild Skies' page, 'Dear NBC Sports: This is a huge mistake. I am pretty disgusted that you would show elephant hunting. Your brand is terribly damaded by this.'

Andrew Schaefer added: 'How anyone could glorify that type of killing is beyond me, let alone televise it when children are watching? We couldn't change the channel fast enough.'
(Daily Mail - Sept 30, 2013)