A US trophy hunter sparked further outrage on Monday when posing for pictures with several animals, including a giraffe, she had killed in the wake of the controversy caused by the death of Cecil the lion.

In response to initial criticisms, Sabrina Corgatelli, an accountant from Idaho, quoted the Bible as she defended what she called an "ethical" kill. "Genesis 27:3 says, 'Now then, take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me'," she wrote.

However, after making headlines around the world, Corgatelli went on US television to offer up a quite baffling excuse for killing the herbivorous animal.

“Giraffes are very dangerous animals," she told the Today show via Skype. "They could hurt you seriously, very quickly.”