Persian Realm

World Wildlife Fund's branch in Spain says it has ousted King Juan Carlos as its honorary president  (a title he'd held since 1968 ) because the monarch's recent elephant hunting safari was incompatible with the group's goal of conserving endangered species. Given a country known for it’s bloody Bullfights is it not a little bit hypocrite to oust the Monarch after having named him in the first place ? (Source: persianrealm.com)

Euronews French Report (Jul 21, 2012):

Spain's King Juan Carlos apologies for hunting trip (IB Times UK, Apr 18, 2012):

*************************************

*************************************

WHAT ABOUT THE BULL FIGHTS THEN? …

*************************************

*************************************

***********************

***********************

BLOOD AND SAND

***********************

***********************

Blood and Sand:

Rouben Mamoulian version of the Vincent Blasco Ibanez novel, BLOOD AND SAND, starring Tyrone Power, Linda Darnell and Rita Hayworth.

A Matador's Mistress – Trailer:

Adrien Brody and Penelope Cruz in the Romantic drama set in Spain’s Bull Fight world

*************************

*************************

OFF WITH HIS POST!

*************************

*************************

Spanish Report on The King’s Ousting from WWF:

The WWF's Spanish chapter voted overwhelmingly to abolish the post, a statement said, adding that the safari did not sit well with WWF goals.

The king was widely criticised after news of the trip emerged in April, in the middle of a severe economic crisis.

Spain's royal family has faced a series of embarrassments this year.

King Juan Carlos apologised to the Spanish people for the hunting trip, which only came to light when he was flown home from Africa after breaking a hip.

An online petition calling for his resignation from the WWF post accumulated almost 85,000 signatures by the time he made his public apology.

'Incompatible'

The controversy prompted Spanish newspapers to publish a photo of the king on a previous safari, in which he is seen standing with a gun beside a dead elephant.

"Although this type of hunting is legal and regulated, many members consider it to be incompatible with the position of honorary patron of an international organisation that aims to protect the environment," the WWF statement said on Saturday.

The vote to abolish the position of honorary president was carried by a 94% majority, it said.

The king is generally popular in Spain, but the royal family has been beset by a series of embarrassing news stories this year.

The king's son-in-law, Inaki Urdangarin, has been questioned in connection with a corruption scandal involving claims that he used public funds to organise sports events.

Related Blogs:

Other related Blogs on Spain:

Spain's royals take pay cuts in austerity drive

A KING’s SALARY: Spain’s Royal Family Publish Salaries For The First Time

BASTARDOS: Does Spain’s King Juan Carlos have two illegitimate children?

ROYAL SNUB: Spain's Queen cancels UK Jubilee visit over
Gibraltar dispute

Spanish king's 
teenage grandson shoots himself in foot

WHAT DID THE 
DUKE DO ? Spanish king's son-in-law dropped from official duties

FRANCO’s GHOST:
Spain's Franco-era probe judge Baltasar Garzon on trial

EL CID: Spain’s
 King Knights Sarkozy with Order Of the Golden Fleece

ROYAL FORUM:
China signs $7.5b deals with Juan Carlos' Spain