Is roadkill a vegan-friendly protein source?
A fundamental tenet of veganism is opposition to the slaughter of animals for food. But what if the meat is sourced from highway accidents, rather than a ranch or factory farm? For decades, everyone from PETA leaders to philosophers have considered the ethics of the “least harm principle” both for animals and the environment, and shockingly their conclusions are somewhat similar: Roadkill makes sense. As Tenderly notes, it is now legal in more than 20 states to harvest carcasses off roads and the practice has slowly evolved from a rural hillbilly stereotype to something more eco-chic. But are vegans willing to bite? With upwards of 1.9 million animals killed last year during vehicle collisions, it’s a pressing, sometimes contentious question. (Oh and ICYMI: California has a roadkill app.)
