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Melissa Bachman caused outrage by posting a Facebook photo of herself sitting next to the dead big cat, with a rifle in her hand.

She also shared the grisly snap on Twitter, where she wrote: "An incredible day hunting in South Africa! Stalked inside 60 yards on this beautiful male lion … what a hunt!"

The American star has now been told she is no longer welcome in South Africa, with nearly 12,000 people signing a petition calling for her to be denied future entry to the country.

Cape Town resident Elan Burman, who set up the petition, labels Bachman "an absolute contradiction to the culture of conservation this country prides itself on".

The petition, addressed to the office of South African president Jacob Zuma, reads: "Melissa Bachman has made a career out of hunting wildlife, for pure sport."

It adds: "As tax payers we demand she no longer be granted access to this country and its natural resources."

Brit comic Ricky Gervais also joined the furious mob.

Referring to Bachman's "what a hunt" line, The Office star joked: "spot the typo".

Bachman's own Twitter account is no longer active.

She regularly hosts hunting show Winchester Deadly Passion, with her Facebook page littered with photos of her posing next to dead creatures.