Winkelmayer-k                         DEUTSCH

Rudolf Winkelmayer

The case of hunting: For what purpose and in which way may humans use animals?

Hunting is inseparably tied to the history of humanity’s development, but today it has to be reconsidered fundamentally and should be unlinked from any productive aspect. Moreover, from an animal ethics point of view, any killing has to be refused unless it is carried out with a reasonable motive.
According to the findings of ecology, of the biology of evolution, cognition and behaviour, as well of animal ethics, a seminal hunting could be described as a sustainable use of nature, while preventing the animals as far as ever possible from fear, pain and suffering. The hunting is to be limited to those wild species who need to be regulated in order to maintain biodiversity and to contribute to the balance of interests in the cultural landscape. In its strict interpretation, this kind of hunting can also be called
ultima ratio hunting.