Research
Wild Animal Initiative produces original research to guide our work and catalyze academic activity.
We identify and spotlight research areas with high potential to advance the field. Our research informs our funding priorities and invites the broader scientific community to further investigate key questions about wild animal welfare.
We hold ourselves and the researchers we fund to a high standard of scientific rigor and openness. Learn more →
Our Library
Explore research notes, preprints, and other reports on our Library page.
Our researchers
Meet our team of researchers and find their published works.
The field
Review our list of research questions relevant to wild animal welfare from across a variety of disciplines
Publications by our researchers
2026
Ready to go wild? Factors affecting the representation and contribution of veterinarians in a selection of wildlife-oriented research disciplines
Beaulieu, M., et al. (2026). Ready to go wild? Factors affecting the representation and contribution of veterinarians in a selection of wildlife-oriented research disciplines. Research in Veterinary Science, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2026.106229
Considering affective state as a central component of the response of animals to environmental changes
Beaulieu, M. (2026). Considering affective state as a central component of the response of animals to environmental changes. Biology Letters, https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2025.0424
Welfare implications of injuries and deformities in wild fish
Eckerström Liedholm, S. (2026). Welfare implications of injuries and deformities in wild fish. Animal Welfare, https://doi:10.1017/awf.2026.10083
The emerging field of wild animal welfare science
Elliott, V., et al. (2026). The emerging field of wild animal welfare science. Trends in Ecology & Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2026.06.003
Research sense: Incorporating animals’ sensory capacities in animal care and study design
Graham M., Fischer B. (2026). Research sense: Incorporating animals’ sensory capacities in animal care and study design. Laboratory Animals. 60(2):220-224. https://doi.org/10.1177/00236772251385784. (First published online December 14, 2025.)
2025
Rehabilitating wild animal welfare: A focus on veterinary rescue and rehabilitation interventions
Beaulieu, M. (2025). Rehabilitating wild animal welfare: A focus on veterinary rescue and rehabilitation interventions. Research in Veterinary Science, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2025.105582
Bye-bye bycatch: a remotely closing trap for targeted songbird capture
Flint, B. F., & Vernasco, B. J. (2025). Bye-bye bycatch: a remotely closing trap for targeted songbird capture. Journal of Field Ornithology, https://doi.org/10.5751/JFO-00744-960408
2024
Taking Welfare into Account in Comparative Cognition Research
Baciadonna, L., Castellano Bueno, J., Elliott, V., & Nawroth, C. (2024). Taking Welfare into Account in Comparative Cognition Research. Comparative Cognition & Behavior Reviews, 19, 3-7.
Oxidative status: A general but overlooked indicator of welfare across animal species?
Beaulieu, M. (2024). Oxidative status: A general but overlooked indicator of welfare across animal species? Bioessays, 46(8). https://doi.org/10.1002/bies.202300205
Capturing wild animal welfare: a physiological perspective
Beaulieu, M. (2024). Capturing wild animal welfare: a physiological perspective. Biological Reviews, 99(1), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1111/brv.13009
Plugging biologging into animal welfare: An opportunity for advancing wild animal welfare science
Beaulieu, M., Masilkova, M. (2024) Plugging biologging into animal welfare: An opportunity for advancing wild animal welfare science. Methods in Ecology & Evolution, https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.14441
Improving wild animal welfare through contraception
Eckerström Liedholm, S., Hecht, L., & Elliott, V. (2024). Improving wild animal welfare through contraception. BioScience, https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biae071
2021
The importance of considering age when quantifying wild animals’ welfare
Hecht, L. (2021). The importance of considering age when quantifying wild animals’ welfare. Biological Reviews, 96(6), 2602-2616. https://doi.org/10.1111/brv.12769
2020
What is the value of wild animal welfare for restoration ecology?
Capozzelli, J. F., Hecht, L., & Halsey, S. J. (2020). What is the value of wild animal welfare for restoration ecology?. Restoration Ecology, 28(2), 267-270.
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