Protests against African trophy hunting spur court injunction application

The Calgary chapter of Safari Club International wants the courts to grant an injunction against the founder of an organization called Ban African Trophy Hunting.

The injunction application alleges Mike Donovan engaged in "wrongful behaviour" in relation to protests at the Calgary Africa Show last January.

The shows have been the target of conservationists since the controversial 2015 killing by a U.S. hunter of Cecil the lion, a beloved animal in Zimbabwe'sHwange National Park.

The Calgary chapter of Safari Club International is accusing protesters at their Africa Show last January of harassing and intimidating attendees.

David Little, president of the local Safari Club International, says he acknowledges Donovan has the right to voice his opinions, but he says the protests went beyond what's reasonable and civil.

"Words like 'killer' and 'shame, shame.'I'm not a killer and I don't deserve that," he said.

"I sense that Canadian hunters have had enough. We've been abused and you know it's Canadian heritage and somebody needs to be pushing back."

Donovan says the allegations are fabricated and he will be defend his actions in court.

"They haven't proved anything," he said.

"They haven't proved any losses. They haven't proved that I've defamed them. They have to come up with really good, valid business reasons to overcome my right to express myself by the Charter."

A hearing is scheduled for Tuesday.

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