Licence to kill: Conservation and the moral domain of trophy hunting.

Abstract

Over the past years, trophy hunting – the recreational hunting of wild animals to obtain a desired trophy – has raised many discussions within political and public context. In this thesis, the central question ‘Is trophy hunting morally permissible?’ is answered to provide governmental policy advisors and NGOs insight into the moral domain of trophy hunting. While opponents of trophy hunting claim that this practice is unethical, proponents state that it is justifiable based on its net positive effect in the world. It allegedly advances the interests of all sentient beings because trophy hunting contributes to conservation efforts. In addition, proponents claim that trophy hunting benefits communities by providing both employment and financial support through a share of hunting fees. In this thesis, the central question is approached with a zoocentric moral framework that judges actions by its outcomes, thereby honouring the proponents defence of trophy hunting. It is argued that animals are morally considerable and that their interests, including the crucial interest in continued life, are thwarted by the practice of trophy hunting. The evaluation of the actual effects of trophy hunting illuminates that the achieved satisfaction of hunters’ preferences, individual preferences within local communities and aggregative preferences at a conservational level do not outweigh the frustrated interests of targeted animals. Consequently, trophy hunting is concluded to be morally impermissible. It is, therefore, recommended to cautiously phase out the whole practice. Regulation suggestions are included to provide tools to improve current conditions while awaiting a future without trophy hunting.