An internet meme that showed director Steven Spielberg lying next to an apparently dead triceratops, a dinosaur that became extinct 70 million years ago, has gone viral, fooling thousands of indignant internet users. The post made its way online earlier this week, with meme maker Jay Branscomb the man behind the image.

Steven SpielbergJurassic World producer Steven Spielberg killed a dinosaur, apparently.

The image shows Spielberg on the set of his classic movie Jurassic Park, grinning next to the movie's sick triceratops. 

Beneath, the caption read: "Disgraceful photo of recreational hunter happily posing next to a Triceratops he just slaughtered. Please share so the world can name and shame this despicable man."

Thousands of users left comments, lambasting Mr Spielberg for his pre-historic murder.

More: Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park picture receives backlash

"I'd love to see these hunters be stopped," one user said. "I think zoos are the best way to keep these innocent animals safe. A**holes like this piece of s**t are going into these beautiful animals HOME and killing them."

"Steven Spielberg I'm disappointed in you. I'm not watching any of your movies again ANIMAL KILLER."

When one user, Vincent Smith, was told that the man in the picture was Steven Spielberg, he replied: "I don't care who he is, he should not have shot that animal."

More: Finally, we know the plot for Colin Trevorrow's Jurassic World

Spielberg is executive producer on Colin Trevorrow's Jurassic World, set for release in 2015 with Chris Pratt in the lead role. Bryce Dallas Howard and New Girl's Jake Johnson also appear, with Vincent D'Onofrio as the villain Morton. Recently leaked plot details suggest the movie will focus on a dinosaur theme park on the island of Isla Nublar. However, havoc ensues when the owners' newly developed dinosaur breaks out of the park.