Research on predator-prey dynamics uses live prey animals that experience genuine fear, stress, and sometimes death as part of the experimental design.
Predator-prey research welfare creates a direct tension between ecological science and animal welfare. Exposing mice to hawk attacks — even without contact — creates lasting anxiety states that persist for life. Research requiring prey to be killed by predators involves deliberate fatal attack on sentient animals. Alternative methods including olfactory exposure, video stimuli, and non-contact behavioral assessment can address many research questions with reduced welfare cost.