Hunters sue to challenge New Jersey big-game trophy ban

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TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — A lobbying group and New Jersey hunters are challenging a new law that makes it illegal to import or export big-game trophies of threatened or endangered animals.

Conservation Force and a group of hunters filed a federal lawsuit Friday, seeking to void the law signed by Republican Gov. Chris Christie last month.

Lawmakers approved the measure in response to the killing of a Zimbabwean lion named Cecil, whose death sparked protests last year.

The suit says lawmakers ignored federal regulations governing trophy hunting.

The group says licensed, regulated, tourist safari hunting is an essential component of conservation programs and helps fund operations that safeguard wildlife habitats and fight poaching in Africa.

The New Jersey attorney general's office said it had no comment Tuesday.