How wild deer, elk, bison, and other ungulate populations are managed, the ethical debates around culling, and welfare considerations.
Managing wild ungulate populations raises difficult ethical and welfare questions. Where populations are overabundant relative to their habitat, animals may suffer from starvation, disease, and vehicle collisions. Culling reduces population size but raises welfare concerns about methods and selectivity. Non-lethal options like immunocontraception are gaining acceptance but are costly and logistically challenging at large scale. The welfare implications of different management choices for both the targeted animals and the broader ecosystem require careful consideration.