Wild Animal Initiative
@wildanimalinitv.bsky.social
Offering grants, research, and services to accelerate science that helps wild animals. wildanimalinitiative.org
Pinned
Core Concepts: Wild animal welfare science — Wild Animal Initiative
Wild animal welfare science focuses on understanding the subjective experiences of individual wild animals with the goal of improving their welfare.
www.wildanimalinitiative.org
If we're connecting here for the first time and you're curious about what exactly wild animal welfare science is, this introductory blog post explains it. Related fields: #biology #ecology #ecoevo #ethology #animalbehavior #physiology #conservation
Don't miss our latest research outputs and announcements — stay up to date with news from Wild Animal Initiative by signing up for our monthly newsletter. (We promise we won't spam you!)
Subscribe to monthly email newsletter — Wild Animal Initiative
Sign up to receive updates about Wild Animal Initiative and the field of wild animal welfare science.
buff.ly
November 25, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Don't miss our latest research outputs and announcements — stay up to date with news from Wild Animal Initiative by signing up for our monthly newsletter. (We promise we won't spam you!)
In addition to awarding grants, Wild Animal Initiative produces original research in wild animal welfare science. 🧪 Learn more about our research priorities and meet our team of researchers:
Research — Wild Animal Initiative
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…
buff.ly
November 19, 2025 at 1:30 PM
In addition to awarding grants, Wild Animal Initiative produces original research in wild animal welfare science. 🧪 Learn more about our research priorities and meet our team of researchers:
🎤 WAI Science Director @lbbhecht.bsky.social took part in a panel discussion at #LSE last week that explored the #ethics of #conservation and wild animal welfare. You can watch a recording of the conversation below.
Saving Britain's wildlife | LSE Event
Britain's wildlife has been under pressure for centuries. Many of the large mammals that once inhabited these islands were driven to extinction long ago. In the twenty-first century, insect…
buff.ly
November 17, 2025 at 1:30 PM
🎤 WAI Science Director @lbbhecht.bsky.social took part in a panel discussion at #LSE last week that explored the #ethics of #conservation and wild animal welfare. You can watch a recording of the conversation below.
There's no one path to becoming a wild animal welfare scientist. We interviewed WAI Strategy Researcher @simonliedholm.bsky.social to learn about his.
November 16, 2025 at 1:23 PM
There's no one path to becoming a wild animal welfare scientist. We interviewed WAI Strategy Researcher @simonliedholm.bsky.social to learn about his.
Reposted by Wild Animal Initiative
📢❗Last call!
The final day to submit an EOI for a Wild Animal Initiative #grant is this Friday, November 14.
#animalwelfare #science #CFP #wildlife #research
The final day to submit an EOI for a Wild Animal Initiative #grant is this Friday, November 14.
#animalwelfare #science #CFP #wildlife #research
Grants — Wild Animal Initiative
We have an open call for proposals on all grant types. Learn how to apply.
buff.ly
November 10, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Two years ago, we launched our first field research project: an investigation of how varying environmental conditions affect the welfare of house sparrows. We've now completed fieldwork and are preparing to review and analyze the data. Learn more:
House sparrow field research update — Wild Animal Initiative
I’m reporting back to you with an update on the house sparrow research project we launched in 2023. Through this project, we hope to validate new behavioral indicators of welfare in the house…
buff.ly
November 13, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Two years ago, we launched our first field research project: an investigation of how varying environmental conditions affect the welfare of house sparrows. We've now completed fieldwork and are preparing to review and analyze the data. Learn more:
📢❗Last call!
The final day to submit an EOI for a Wild Animal Initiative #grant is this Friday, November 14.
#animalwelfare #science #CFP #wildlife #research
The final day to submit an EOI for a Wild Animal Initiative #grant is this Friday, November 14.
#animalwelfare #science #CFP #wildlife #research
Grants — Wild Animal Initiative
We have an open call for proposals on all grant types. Learn how to apply.
buff.ly
November 10, 2025 at 1:30 PM
When WAI Strategy Researcher @simonliedholm.bsky.social decided to apply his scientific background to helping wild animals, "the big question was just, ‘Is there anyone willing to pay me for doing this?’”
Read about Simon's path to wild animal welfare science:
Read about Simon's path to wild animal welfare science:
Evolving alongside the field: Strategy Researcher Simon Eckerström Liedholm’s path to wild animal welfare science — Wild Animal Initiative
Wild Animal Initiative produces and supports wild animal welfare research, but it’s not just research for research’s sake. We see this work fitting into a bigger picture of helping the field of wild…
buff.ly
November 3, 2025 at 1:53 PM
When WAI Strategy Researcher @simonliedholm.bsky.social decided to apply his scientific background to helping wild animals, "the big question was just, ‘Is there anyone willing to pay me for doing this?’”
Read about Simon's path to wild animal welfare science:
Read about Simon's path to wild animal welfare science:
🧪 We have an open #CFP on projects in wild animal welfare science.
Not sure if your project is the right fit? We've put together a guide on using common research skills to study wild animal welfare, and integrating welfare into wildlife science projects.
Not sure if your project is the right fit? We've put together a guide on using common research skills to study wild animal welfare, and integrating welfare into wildlife science projects.
Obtaining funding for wild animal welfare science: A guide for researchers in other fields — Wild Animal Initiative
We have an open call for proposals on all of our grant types. Learn more and apply by November 14.
buff.ly
November 1, 2025 at 12:15 PM
🧪 We have an open #CFP on projects in wild animal welfare science.
Not sure if your project is the right fit? We've put together a guide on using common research skills to study wild animal welfare, and integrating welfare into wildlife science projects.
Not sure if your project is the right fit? We've put together a guide on using common research skills to study wild animal welfare, and integrating welfare into wildlife science projects.
Watching Nightmares of Nature on Netflix is a spooky way to spend the evening, but the scariest thing about nature isn’t on TV — it’s how little we know about what life is actually like for wild animals, and how we might improve their welfare. 🎃 🐈⬛ 👻
Nightmares of Nature — Wild Animal Initiative
www.wildanimalinitiative.org
October 31, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Watching Nightmares of Nature on Netflix is a spooky way to spend the evening, but the scariest thing about nature isn’t on TV — it’s how little we know about what life is actually like for wild animals, and how we might improve their welfare. 🎃 🐈⬛ 👻
In case you missed it, wild animal welfare was featured in the latest issue of The Wildlife Professional, where @dr-bff.bsky.social explored the benefits of integrating welfare into urban ecology.
If you're a member, you can read it here: buff.ly/3VtLdeA
If you're a member, you can read it here: buff.ly/3VtLdeA
PUBLICATIONS - The Wildlife Society
TWS’ publications keep you informed about wildlife science, conservation, management, policy and education.
buff.ly
October 29, 2025 at 12:32 PM
In case you missed it, wild animal welfare was featured in the latest issue of The Wildlife Professional, where @dr-bff.bsky.social explored the benefits of integrating welfare into urban ecology.
If you're a member, you can read it here: buff.ly/3VtLdeA
If you're a member, you can read it here: buff.ly/3VtLdeA
Reposted by Wild Animal Initiative
🚨Call for Grant proposals is currently open at www.wildanimalinitiative.org/grants!
Deadline: 14th November
#WildAnimalWelfare
#Grants
Deadline: 14th November
#WildAnimalWelfare
#Grants
October 28, 2025 at 11:54 PM
🚨Call for Grant proposals is currently open at www.wildanimalinitiative.org/grants!
Deadline: 14th November
#WildAnimalWelfare
#Grants
Deadline: 14th November
#WildAnimalWelfare
#Grants
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to stay up to date with the latest highlights from Wild Animal Initiative.
#wildlife #animalwelfare #science #research
#wildlife #animalwelfare #science #research
Subscribe to monthly email newsletter — Wild Animal Initiative
Sign up to receive updates about Wild Animal Initiative and the field of wild animal welfare science.
buff.ly
October 25, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to stay up to date with the latest highlights from Wild Animal Initiative.
#wildlife #animalwelfare #science #research
#wildlife #animalwelfare #science #research
📢 #CFP: Wild Animal Initiative is accepting grant applications for projects studying wild animal welfare.
🗓️ Submit your EOI form by November 14 to be considered.
🧪 #wildlife #biology #zoology #ecoevo #animalbehavior #animalbehaviour #physiology #conservation #science
🗓️ Submit your EOI form by November 14 to be considered.
🧪 #wildlife #biology #zoology #ecoevo #animalbehavior #animalbehaviour #physiology #conservation #science
Grants — Wild Animal Initiative
We have an open call for proposals on all grant types. Learn how to apply.
buff.ly
October 20, 2025 at 12:15 PM
📢 #CFP: Wild Animal Initiative is accepting grant applications for projects studying wild animal welfare.
🗓️ Submit your EOI form by November 14 to be considered.
🧪 #wildlife #biology #zoology #ecoevo #animalbehavior #animalbehaviour #physiology #conservation #science
🗓️ Submit your EOI form by November 14 to be considered.
🧪 #wildlife #biology #zoology #ecoevo #animalbehavior #animalbehaviour #physiology #conservation #science
We've awarded 84 grants since we launched our Grants Program three years ago, and we're excited to share the contributions that our grantees have made to the field of wild animal welfare science so far.
Progress update on our grantees’ research projects — Wild Animal Initiative
September 9, 2025 Since 2022, our Grants Program has funded research on wild animal welfare — from validating ways to measure the welfare of free-living wild animals, to discovering the factors…
buff.ly
October 15, 2025 at 10:30 PM
We've awarded 84 grants since we launched our Grants Program three years ago, and we're excited to share the contributions that our grantees have made to the field of wild animal welfare science so far.
Our friends at Rethink Priorities are hosting a webinar next week that may be of interest to wild insect researchers — with a discussion on the current state of knowledge about insect sentience and the possibility of insects feeling pain.
🗓️ October 20
🕐 1 pm EST
Sign up: luma.com/npwnyni8
🗓️ October 20
🕐 1 pm EST
Sign up: luma.com/npwnyni8
What do we know about insect sentience? · Zoom · Luma
Welcome to the RP Strategic Animal Webinars and the talk and Q&A session: What do we know about insect sentience? Date: October 20, 2025 (10 AM PDT, 1 PM EDT,…
luma.com
October 12, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Our friends at Rethink Priorities are hosting a webinar next week that may be of interest to wild insect researchers — with a discussion on the current state of knowledge about insect sentience and the possibility of insects feeling pain.
🗓️ October 20
🕐 1 pm EST
Sign up: luma.com/npwnyni8
🗓️ October 20
🕐 1 pm EST
Sign up: luma.com/npwnyni8
From adventures in Antarctica to adventures of the mind, WAI Research Manager Michaël Beaulieu has always been motivated by a desire to answer the most pressing questions about wild animal lives.
Breaking the ice with Research Manager Michaël Beaulieu — Wild Animal Initiative
June 11, 2025 Fresh out of vet school with his new DVM degree, in 2004 Michaël Beaulieu found himself seasick on a rickety boat bound for Terre Adélie, the narrow slice of Antarctica claimed by…
buff.ly
October 9, 2025 at 10:15 PM
From adventures in Antarctica to adventures of the mind, WAI Research Manager Michaël Beaulieu has always been motivated by a desire to answer the most pressing questions about wild animal lives.
Wildlife contraceptives could be a humane population management tool — but they could also be used with the primary intention of improving wild animal welfare. Check out our 2024 Q&A with @simonliedholm.bsky.social to learn more: www.wildanimalinitiative.org/blog/wildlif...
Exploring the welfare benefits of wildlife contraception — Wild Animal Initiative
September 24, 2024 Wild Animal Initiative scientists published a paper this month discussing the potential for contraceptives to alleviate resource competition among wild animals, and the negative…
www.wildanimalinitiative.org
October 6, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Wildlife contraceptives could be a humane population management tool — but they could also be used with the primary intention of improving wild animal welfare. Check out our 2024 Q&A with @simonliedholm.bsky.social to learn more: www.wildanimalinitiative.org/blog/wildlif...
By becoming a member of our free community, you'll join an international network of wild animal welfare researchers and practitioners, and hear about opportunities in the field.
#ecology #ecoevo #animalbehavior #animalwelfare #conservation 🧪
#ecology #ecoevo #animalbehavior #animalwelfare #conservation 🧪
Join our Research Community — Wild Animal Initiative
Become a member of our community if you would like to engage researchers and practitioners around the world interested in understanding and improving the lives of animals in the wild.
buff.ly
October 3, 2025 at 12:15 PM
By becoming a member of our free community, you'll join an international network of wild animal welfare researchers and practitioners, and hear about opportunities in the field.
#ecology #ecoevo #animalbehavior #animalwelfare #conservation 🧪
#ecology #ecoevo #animalbehavior #animalwelfare #conservation 🧪
🐦 Learn more about Marion's project here: www.wildanimalinitiative.org/grantees/mar...
October 2, 2025 at 1:11 PM
🐦 Learn more about Marion's project here: www.wildanimalinitiative.org/grantees/mar...
If you're a member of @thewildlifesociety.bsky.social, check out page 49 of the latest Wildlife Professional for an article on wild animal welfare by WAI Researcher and Education Specialist @dr-bff.bsky.social 🐿️
Let us know what you think!
#TheWildlifeSociety #TWS
Let us know what you think!
#TheWildlifeSociety #TWS
Watch for the September/October issue of The Wildlife Professional in your mailbox. The magazine features a cover story on the Athabasca oil sands and a special focus on urban wildlife conservation.
The September/October issue of The Wildlife Professional - The Wildlife Society
Industry affects wildlife populations in the Alberta oil sands
wildlife.org
September 29, 2025 at 8:47 AM
If you're a member of @thewildlifesociety.bsky.social, check out page 49 of the latest Wildlife Professional for an article on wild animal welfare by WAI Researcher and Education Specialist @dr-bff.bsky.social 🐿️
Let us know what you think!
#TheWildlifeSociety #TWS
Let us know what you think!
#TheWildlifeSociety #TWS
We're excited to share an update on our grantees' research progress. Some highlights:
🧠 80 knowledge advances produced
🧪 83 indicators developed or improved
👩🏽🔬 583 people involved in project activities
🌍 37 workshops/webinars hosted
Visit our blog to read the full progress update:
🧠 80 knowledge advances produced
🧪 83 indicators developed or improved
👩🏽🔬 583 people involved in project activities
🌍 37 workshops/webinars hosted
Visit our blog to read the full progress update:
Progress update on our grantees’ research projects — Wild Animal Initiative
September 9, 2025 Since 2022, our Grants Program has funded research on wild animal welfare — from validating ways to measure the welfare of free-living wild animals, to discovering the factors…
buff.ly
September 28, 2025 at 12:45 PM
We're excited to share an update on our grantees' research progress. Some highlights:
🧠 80 knowledge advances produced
🧪 83 indicators developed or improved
👩🏽🔬 583 people involved in project activities
🌍 37 workshops/webinars hosted
Visit our blog to read the full progress update:
🧠 80 knowledge advances produced
🧪 83 indicators developed or improved
👩🏽🔬 583 people involved in project activities
🌍 37 workshops/webinars hosted
Visit our blog to read the full progress update:
We were excited to fund this project on crayfish welfare — arthropods whose welfare has not received a great deal of attention in the scientific literature so far. Check out the initial results on Bristol Zoological Society's blog.
Bristol Zoo Project
For over a year, the conservation team at Bristol Zoo has been assessing the welfare of crayfish during translocation.
buff.ly
September 26, 2025 at 7:03 PM
We were excited to fund this project on crayfish welfare — arthropods whose welfare has not received a great deal of attention in the scientific literature so far. Check out the initial results on Bristol Zoological Society's blog.
📢 #CFP: We are now accepting #grant applications for research projects in wild animal welfare science.
To learn more about the grants we offer, what we're looking for, and how to apply, visit our grants page: www.wildanimalinitiative.org/grants
Submit your EOI by November 14.
To learn more about the grants we offer, what we're looking for, and how to apply, visit our grants page: www.wildanimalinitiative.org/grants
Submit your EOI by November 14.
Grants — Wild Animal Initiative
www.wildanimalinitiative.org
September 25, 2025 at 12:56 PM
📢 #CFP: We are now accepting #grant applications for research projects in wild animal welfare science.
To learn more about the grants we offer, what we're looking for, and how to apply, visit our grants page: www.wildanimalinitiative.org/grants
Submit your EOI by November 14.
To learn more about the grants we offer, what we're looking for, and how to apply, visit our grants page: www.wildanimalinitiative.org/grants
Submit your EOI by November 14.
WAI grantees Jess Harvey-Carroll and Daire Carroll developed a framework applying the well-established principle of the four Rs for animal welfare in research to ensure the ethical use of animal-borne devices during post-release monitoring of rehabilitated animals. buff.ly/MYqeG5Q
buff.ly
September 18, 2025 at 3:05 PM
WAI grantees Jess Harvey-Carroll and Daire Carroll developed a framework applying the well-established principle of the four Rs for animal welfare in research to ensure the ethical use of animal-borne devices during post-release monitoring of rehabilitated animals. buff.ly/MYqeG5Q