Shocking moment former Marseille goalkeeper Pascal Olmeta celebrates killing an elephant after shooting it twice in the head

DISTRESSING footage has emerged of former Marseille goalkeeper Pascal Olmeta shooting an elephant in the head - before laughing and celebrating the creature's death.

In the shocking video, the Frenchman can be seen tracking the elephant during a guided hunting trip in Zimbabwe.

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Then, he shoots the wild animal with a rifle, causing it to fall to the ground crying in pain - before he aims a final bullet through its head.

After ensuring the creature is dead, 55-year-old Olmeta - who played for Lyon and Marseille in the 1990s - is congratulated by his guide, from Christophe Morio Safaris.

The horrifying video dates back to 2011 - with photos of the trip advertised on the website of Olmeta's children's charity, called A Smile, A Hope For Life.

Now, the player has defended the footage - saying he shot the animal because of overpopulation in Zimbabwe, and all income from hunting is used to help local people.

In a statement, he said: "The problem of overpopulation of elephants in Zimbabwe is a real issue for the country.

"Elephants cause irreparable damage to the houses.

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"They are also the cause of many deaths among the local populations."

But Masha Kalinina, International Trade Policy Specialist with animal charity Humane Society International, told the : "As the world faces an elephant poaching crisis, with around 100 elephants poached every day, it is absolutely sickening to see anyone celebrating taking even one innocent life of this magnificent species. 

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"This hunt took place in Zimbabwe, a country notorious for corruption where none of the money Olmeta spent on this hunt is likely to have made it to conservation efforts, but instead will have likely lined the pockets of corrupt officials. 

"As a sportsman, Olmeta has let himself down because there was nothing sportsmanlike about subjecting this wild elephant to a frightening and agonizing death.

"The animal's cries of pain contrasted with Olmeta's disgusting joy at having killed him are truly shocking.

"Our society no longer finds this unethical behaviour acceptable and the negative reaction this callous killing is receiving is proof of that."

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