Germany: 10 Years Free of Terrestrial Rabies

A ban on fox hunting long overdue: Germany has officially been rabies-free for ten years.

On 28 September 2008, the Federal Republic submitted a corresponding declaration to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). It was not recreational hunting of foxes, but animal-friendly vaccine baits that eradicated the dangerous disease.

Yet hobby hunters in Germany still kill around 400’000 of these beneficial animals every year. Rabies is still frequently cited as an untenable justification. In truth, foxes are generally regarded by hobby hunters as competitors for prey or simply used as living targets. The animal rights organisation PETA is calling for a nationwide ban on fox hunting on the occasion of this anniversary.

«It is long overdue to put the mass killing of foxes to the test. Many animals are also crushed to death in agony in snap traps or seriously wounded by stray shots. Killing animals as a leisure activity is incompatible with animal welfare legislation and must finally be prohibited.»

Nadja Michler, Wildlife Policy Officer at PETA

Recreational hunting unnecessary from a wildlife biology perspective as well

Hobby hunting for foxes has no regulatory or population-reducing effect whatsoever. Losses are quickly offset by immigration and rising birth rates. Recognized wildlife biologists confirm that hobby hunting is not necessary from an ecological standpoint. According to renowned biologist Prof. Dr. Josef Reichholf, predators do not need to be replaced by human hobby hunters, as animal populations living in forests regulate themselves through environmental factors such as weather, food availability, and disease.

The species protection argument is smoke and mirrors

In Luxembourg, hobby hunting for foxes has been banned since April 2015 — with no negative effects observed. Population declines in affected species, such as the brown hare or grey partridge, are largely attributable to habitat loss and hobby hunting itself. Yet instead of protecting these animals, hobby hunters in Germany kill around 200’000 brown hares and hundreds of grey partridges every year. Foxes, on the other hand, feed primarily on mice. Nevertheless, large quantities of highly toxic substances are applied to German fields.

Germany's more than 380’000 hobby hunters are contrasted by only around 1’000 professional hunters, mainly forestry officials. More on the animal welfare problem of hobby hunting and on the myths of hunting.