Conservation group calls for end to trophy hunting

Canada ranks third on trophy export list with bears among targets, IFAW says

A new conservation group launched Tuesday is calling for the NDP government to stop trophy hunting in Alberta.

African eco-safari operators Mike and Maryanne Donovan created the non-profit group Ban Trophy Hunting Ltd. on the heels of a national poll showing four out of five Canadians support legislation banning it.

The Insights West poll commissioned by Ban Trophy Hunting shows 88 per cent of Canadians are opposed to hunting animals for sport, 79 per cent oppose killing animals for their fur, but 68 per cent are in favour of hunting animals for meat.

“A lot of true hunters don’t like trophy hunting,” said Mike Donovan, who says he has no issue with hunting to eat.

“Everyone tries to paint you as a left-wing lunatic when you take these positions. But I’m a typical conservative person. I vote conservative. I’m not a vegan.”

Donovan said he was initially concerned about trophy hunting in Africa, where he runs eco-safaris, but soon learned that Canada is the largest exporter of trophy animals in the world.

A 2016 report by The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) found the biggest sources of trophy animals between 2004 and 2014 are Canada at 35 per cent, South Africa (23 per cent) and Namibia (11 per cent).

Almost 10,000 black bear trophies are exported from Canada each year. Other animals hunted include polar bears, narwhals, cougars, lynx, otters, owls and bighorn sheep.

Donovan dismisses the idea that sport hunting provides income and employment.

“The point that irks me is the justification for killing these animals is that we’re creating employment in these remote areas. But Africa is ample proof you can make as much or more money with ecotourism.”

Ban Trophy Hunting is holding lectures in Calgary and Edmonton to raise awareness and pressure politicians. The Calgary event is May 25 at the John Dutton Theatre, 616 Macleod Trail S.E. People are asked to register at www.BanTrophyHuntingLtd.com

No one from the Alberta Professional Outfitters Society could be reached and Alberta Fish and Game Association officials declined to comment on the issue.

The Insights West online poll of 1,210 adults, including an oversample of 203 aboriginal Canadians, was conducted between Feb. 5 to Feb. 11. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error — which measures sample variability — is plus or minus 2.2 percentage points.

Everyone tries to paint you as a left-wing lunatic when you take these positions. But I’m a typical conservative person.