A Georgia businessman, who was pictured holding a gun as he and another man stood over two dead elephants, claims he killed the animals in self-defense when they charged at him.

Mike Jines, a partner with TopGen Energy in Alpharetta, Georgia, made the claim after the photo went viral on social media and critics started targeting his business.

Thousands of social media users have accused Jines and professional hunter, Max 'Buzz' Delezenne, of killing two baby elephants on an African 'trophy' hunt in Zimbabwe.

Georgia businessman, Mike Jines (right), who was pictured holding a gun as he and another man stood over two dead elephants, claims he killed the mammals in self-defense when they charged at him

Jines, a partner with TopGen Energy in Alpharetta, Georgia, made the claim after the photos went viral on social media and critics started targeting his business

Thousands of social media users have accused Jines and professional hunter, Max 'Buzz' Delezenne, of killing two baby elephants on an African 'trophy' hunt in Zimbabwe

Jines (left) went on the hunt with professional hunter Max 'Buzz' Delezenne (right). Jines has claimed that the elephants were shot in self-defense after they charged at the two men

Jines also said that the animals were shot in full compliance with laws and regulations in both Zimbabwe and the US

The hunt occurred in October 2018, but the images weren't shared on social media until last month.

Darrel Eisman shared the photos in a Facebook post, which has more than 56,000 shares.

'Apologies for the disturbing photo,' Eisman wrote. 'If you're really upset by what you see, than make this go viral along with an email letting Mike Jines know what you think,' Eisman added.

He also included Jines' email address in the post.

Thousands commented on the post calling the photos 'horrible', 'sad' and 'sickening'.

'It utterly breaks my heart to see such cruelty going on those scumbags who killed this poor innocent creature should be punished, hunters should be banned as a lot of animals in Africa are now on the verge of extinction how tragic,' one Facebook user wrote.

The hunt occurred in October 2018, but the images weren't shared on social media until last month. Darrel Eisman shared the photos in a Facebook post (pictured), which has more than 56,000 shares

Thousands commented on the post calling the photos 'horrible', 'sad' and 'sickening'

'You have no heart, no soul. This is sickening and pathetic. It’s just so sad to see this,' another angry Twitter user wrote.

Another tweeted: 'There’s evil, and then there’s you #mikejines one can only hope the universe and all that is just punish you for killing those elephants. Boycott #TopGenEnergy.'

Since the photos emerged, Jines says he's focused on 'making sure people understand the actual facts as opposed to the mischaracterization of the information on social media'.

He told CBS 46 that the elephants shown in the photos 'were shot in self-defense, in an unprovoked charge and both elephants were fully mature cows, not juveniles'.

Jines also said that the animals were shot in full compliance with laws and regulations in both Zimbabwe and the US.