A model who posed naked on top of an endangered elephant earlier this month has spoken out after the controversial post.
Alesya Kafelnikova, 22, shared a boomerang of herself sprawled out on top of the Sumatran elephant on February 13.
She posted the short clip to her 555,000 followers on Instagram with the caption: "Natural vibes."
Then in another post, the Russian influencer uploaded a picture with the mammal telling fans "to love natural is human nature".
But since receiving a mixed response on social media in the now-deleted post, Alesya was forced to justify her actions.
While the beauty apologised for causing offence, she also claimed her critics mistakenly saw "vulgarity" in "wonderful beauty".
In a recent post, Aleysa wrote: "It is a pity that people see this as vulgarity, and not as a beauty and love for nature.
"I love animals, I love elephants! And I love Bali so much! I hope each of you will awaken an aesthetic love for my post and the beauty.
"It was a private photoshoot, I didn't have a purpose to hurt the feelings of local people at all.
"We love balinese culture and respect Indonesian rules. Please sorry if you see something else in this."
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She added: "My intention was to show you that I love and respect animals and especially elephants more than anything.
"I would wish all those who are so negative will awaken an aesthetic love for my post and you will see the wonderful beauty in it!"
In the post, which was shared last week, Aleysa shared two snaps where she stood beside the elephant.
She explained her actions after facing an outpouring of anger when she shared the content with the critically endangered animal.
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At the time, one fumed on Instagram: "Poor elephant. Aren't you ashamed to lie naked on an elephant?
"This is a living creature. Money overshadows everything."
According to SunOnline, Bali Tourism Agency Chief Putu Astawa criticised the model.
He said the shoot including a short clip "surely does not meet the norms we are promoting as part of tourism in Bali".
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A spokesperson from the charity Save the Asian Elephants said: "Yet another tragic trivialisation of the majestic Asian elephant when the species is fighting for its very existence against brutal abuse in tourism and human 'entertainment'.
"Save The Asian Elephants stands for a ban by law on the advertising and sale of unethical venues where these special creatures are commercialised with beating, stabbing and every kind of torture to break them for easy commercial exploitation – genuine sanctuaries only."
The animal is not native to the Indonesian island, instead they are kept captive to serve the in tourism industry.
Elephant riding is condemned by many animal charities including PETA.
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