How can the social sciences work with ecology in informing feral horse policy and management in south‐eastern Australia?

• DOI: 10.1111/emr.12366
• Publication Date: 2019-01-30T08:42:58Z
• Authors: Alexandra R. Knight
• Keywords: Culling; Boundary-work

Summary Feral horse management is a complex social issue. Committed and active stakeholders hold strong beliefs regarding both the level of culling needed humane approaches to control. Ecological evidence supporting control expert advice on ethical can, in such contexts, have limited effect policy development application. Given this complexity, scientists an important role play developing longer term solutions. Three possible are evident: use knowledge exchange boundary spanning expertise; proactive publicly available evidence‐informed narratives; influence leadership at science–policy interface. Social scientists, ecologists, managers policymakers need work together develop implement sound decisions.