LMH’s Jessica Frater on Culling for Conservation

Valerie Mitchell Scholar and WildCRU DPhil student Jessica Frater features in a new Oxford Sparks Big Questions podcast episode, tackling one of conservation’s most challenging debates: should animals ever be killed in the name of conservation?

Jess’s DPhil research investigates the ecology and social psychology of culling, with the aim of understanding how wildlife management decisions can be both biologically sustainable and socially acceptable. By combining ecological modelling with insights from social psychology, her work explores the practical realities of culling and the factors that shape public perceptions of it.

While ‘killing animals’ and ‘conservation’ are often seen as opposing ideas, the reality can be more complex when wildlife populations are causing negative environmental impacts. In some cases, reducing animal numbers through culling may help to restore ecosystems and support wider biodiversity goals. 

Reflecting on the episode, Jess said: “I hope listeners come away with a greater appreciation for the complexity of conservation. Issues such as culling are rarely straightforward, and conservation decisions often involve balancing ecological, ethical, and social considerations.”

In this Oxford Sparks episode, Jess discusses the challenges of managing deer populations in Scotland, where culling can form part of broader efforts to reduce environmental damage and support biodiversity goals. The conversation also explores why public perceptions matter so much in conservation, and how understanding those views can help shape more effective and socially supported wildlife management strategies.

Jess added: “Conservation is often as much about people as it is about wildlife. Scientific evidence is essential, but conservation policies are more likely to succeed when they are socially acceptable and shaped by an understanding of public perceptions.”

Oxford Sparks Big Questions is a podcast series that aims to connect researchers from the University of Oxford to public audiences. This episode can be listened to here.