Ecology and Conservation

Professor Robbie McDonald

Professor Robbie McDonald

Chair in Natural Environment

 R.McDonald@exeter.ac.uk

 Not in current use

 Environment and Sustainability Institute 

 

Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK

Overview

I am an ecologist with an interest in animal management. My work is interdisciplinary in nature and addresses problems that animals cause for people and the conflicts and disputes among people about their management. I work on the management of native and introduced, wild and domestic species to achieve goals for controlling and eradicating disease in people and animals, for conserving biodiversity and for improving livelihoods. My work extends across disciplines, and I have collaborated with colleagues across the full breadth of University research, including politics, human geography, maths, archaeology and biomedicine.

I have moved in and out of academia over the years, and before being appointed to a chair at Exeter, I worked in senior leadership roles in the civil service, and in conservation NGOs. I led science programmes during the formation of Fera, one of Defra's science agencies, and the restructuring of its predecessor, the Central Science Laboratory. I enoy working in partnerships, among disciplines, organisations and sectors, to make things happen and to arrive at useful science.

As an example, my research has focused on the science, policy and practical implications of bovine tuberculosis (TB) in badgers and cattle. In this area, I work mainly in partnership with the National Wildlife Management Centre of the Animal and Plant Health Agency. You can find out more by watching this two-minute video of me explaining my work on bovine tuberculosis.

You can view my Google Scholar account here.

My research group website is wildlifescience.org

Qualifications

1998 PhD Wildlife Biology (University of Bristol)
1991 BSc Marine and Environmental Biology (St Andrews)

Career

2022-present Chief Insights Officer, The Office for Environmental Protection

2011-present Chair in Natural Environment, University of Exeter
2009-2011 Head of Wildlife Science and Deputy Chief Scientist, Food and Environment Research Agency (now part of the Animal and Plant Health Agency)
2007-2009 Head of Wildlife Disease Ecology Team/Head of Wildlife Ecology and Management Group, Central Science Laboratory
2003-2007 Centre Manager - Quercus, Queens University Belfast
2002-2003 Senior Scientist, Game Conservancy Trust
2000-2001 Royal Society Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Waikato

Links

Research group links

Back to top

Research

Research interests

I am now especially interested in 'companion animal ecology', where we examine the ecology of animals living in close proximity to people, and where interactions between these animals and people affect their ecology and ecological impacts. I work with cat owners to address the challenges for cat health and well-being and for wildlife populations that can be presented by cat predation of wildlife. This is a major focus and has been supported by Songbird Survival. Another key project has been investigating the ecology and epidemiology of Guinea worm infection in free-ranging domestic dogs in Chad and Ethiopia. This work has contributed to the global programme for eradication of human Guinea worm disease, being led by The Carter Center and the World Health Organisation. I am part of two WHO working groups on Guinea worm, on certification of elimination in animals, and on diagnostics.

My PhD researchers and I work on a variety of wildlife conservation and management projects, mainly in the UK. Recent work has addressed the conservation of hazel dormice, pine marten restoration and its ecological effects, the recovery of polecats, wildcat conservation, the ecological effects of Tasmanian devil decline and predation of pheasants by buzzards. 

  • Animal ecology
  • Wildlife management and conservation
  • Conflicts and disputes about animals and their management
  • Companion animal ecology and evolution
  • Ecology and management of domestic animals in the environment
  • Animal social networks and their implications for ecology and diseases
  • Ecology and management of introduced and invasive species
  • Ecology and management of zoonotic infections

I am always learning new approaches and applying new (to me at least) methods for addressing these challenges. I am interested in developing and applying:

  • Social network analysis and proximity-sensing technology
  • Novel tracking technologies
  • Stable isotope techniques
  • Q-methodology
  • LAMP technology for diagnostics in challenging field situations

Research projects

My current and recently funded projects include:

  • Ecology and management of tuberculosis in badgers and cattle (funded by NERC, with Animal and Plant Health Agency)
  • Woodland management and species conservation strategy for hazel dormice (with Natural England, Forest Research, Innogy Renewables, Cardiff University and People's Trust for Endangered Species)
  • Wildcat conservation and relationships with domestic cats (with Vincent Wildlife Trust, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and Scottish Natural Heritage)
  • Ecology and epidemiology of Guinea worm infection in dogs (with The Carter Center, WHO, Ethiopian Public Health Institute and Chad Ministry of Public Health)
  • Cats, cat owners and predation of wildlife (with Songbird Survival and advice from International Cat Care and RSPCA) 
  • Polecat recovery in Great Britain (with Vincent Wildlife Trust)
  • Pine marten translocations and their ecological effects (with Forestry Commission and Vincent Wildlife Trust)
  • Ecological effects of Tasmanian devil decline (with University of Tasmania)
  • Social networks in free-ranging dogs and the transmission of infections (with Institute for Scientific Interchange, Turin)
  • Predation of pheasants by buzzards 
  • Swan conservation, illegal killing and the effects of lead exposure (with Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust)
  • Management of starlings in farm buildings (funded by ERDF AgriTech Cornwall and Isles of Scilly)

Links


Back to top

Publications

Journal articles

Marjamäki P, Dugdale H, Delahay R, McDonald R, Wilson A (In Press). Genetic, social and maternal contributions to Mycobacterium bovis infection status in European badgers (Meles meles). Journal of Evolutionary Biology
Scopes ER, Broome A, Walsh K, Bennie JJ, McDonald RA (2024). Conservation implications of hibernation in mammals. Mammal Review Abstract.
Marino F, McDonald RA, Crowley SL, Hodgson DJ (2024). Rethinking the evaluation of animal translocations. Biological Conservation, 292
Hudson DW, Hodgson DJ, Cant MA, Thompson FJ, Delahay R, McDonald RA, McKinley TJ (2023). Importance sampling and Bayesian model comparison in ecology and evolution. Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 14(12), 2994-3006. Abstract.
Hudson DW, McKinley TJ, Benton CH, Delahay R, McDonald RA, Hodgson DJ (2023). Multi‐locus homozygosity promotes actuarial senescence in a wild mammal. Journal of Animal Ecology, 92(9), 1881-1892. Abstract.
Drake LE, Cuff JP, Bedmar S, McDonald R, Symondson WOC, Chadwick EA (2023). Otterly delicious: Spatiotemporal variation in the diet of a recovering population of Eurasian otters (<i>Lutra lutra</i>) revealed through<scp>DNA</scp>metabarcoding and morphological analysis of prey remains. Ecology and Evolution, 13(5). Abstract.
Scopes ER, Goodwin CED, Al‐Fulaij N, White I, Langton S, Walsh K, Broome A, McDonald RA (2023). Shifting baselines for species in chronic decline and assessment of conservation status. Are hazel dormice<i>Muscardinus avellanarius</i>Endangered?. Ecological Solutions and Evidence, 4(1). Abstract.
Dando TR, Crowley SL, Young RP, Carter SP, McDonald RA (2023). Social feasibility assessments in conservation translocations. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 38(5), 459-472.
Marino F, Crowley SL, Williams Foley NA, McDonald RA, Hodgson DJ (2023). Stakeholder discourse coalitions and polarisation in the hen harrier conservation debate in news media. People and Nature, 5(2), 668-683. Abstract.
Bavin D, MacPherson J, Crowley SL, McDonald RA (2023). Stakeholder perspectives on the prospect of lynx <i>Lynx lynx</i> reintroduction in Scotland. People and Nature, 5(3), 950-967. Abstract.
Johnson DL, Henderson MT, Franke A, Swan GJF, McDonald RA, Anderson DL, Booms TL, Williams CT (2023). TDF<sub>CAM</sub>: a method for estimating stable isotope trophic discrimination in wild populations. Ecology and Evolution, 13(1). Abstract.
Gubert L, Mathews F, McDonald R, Wilson RJ, Foppen RPB, Lemmers P, La Haye M, Bennie J (2023). Using high-resolution LiDAR-derived canopy structure and topography to characterise hibernaculum locations of the hazel dormouse. Oecologia, 202(4), 641-653. Abstract.
Woods RD, Swaddle JP, Bearhop S, Colhoun K, Gaze WH, Kay SM, McDonald RA (2022). A Sonic Net deters European starlings <i>Sturnus vulgaris</i> from maize silage stores. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 46(4). Abstract.
Swan GJF, Bearhop S, Redpath SM, Silk MJ, Padfield D, Goodwin CED, McDonald RA (2022). Associations between abundances of free-roaming gamebirds and common buzzards <i>Buteo buteo</i> are not driven by consumption of gamebirds in the buzzard breeding season. ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION, 12(5).  Author URL.
Crowley SL, DeGrange L, Matheson D, McDonald RA (2022). Comparing conservation and animal welfare professionals' perspectives on domestic cat management. Biological Conservation, 272
Phillips BB, Crowley SL, Bell O, McDonald RA (2022). Harnessing practitioner knowledge to inform the conservation of a protected species, the hazel dormouse <i>Muscardinus avellanarius</i>. Ecological Solutions and Evidence, 3(4). Abstract.
Gubert L, Mathews F, Bennie J, McDonald R, Wilson R, Foppen R, Lemmers P, La Haye M (2022). Looking up to the sky: using high resolution remote sensing to characterise hibernaculum locations of the Hazel Dormouse. ARPHA Conference Abstracts, 5 Abstract.
Cecchetti M, Crowley SL, McDonald J, McDonald RA (2022). Owner-ascribed personality profiles distinguish domestic cats that capture and bring home wild animal prey. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 256
Ellis S, Cant M, Weiss M, Brent L, Meniri M, Thompson F, Croft D (2022). Patterns and consequences of age-linked change in local relatedness in animal societies. Nature Ecology and Evolution Abstract.
Newth JL, McDonald RA, Wood KA, Rees EC, Semenov I, Chistyakov A, Mikhaylova G, Bearhop S, Cromie RL, Belousova A, et al (2022). Predicting intention to hunt protected wildlife: a case study of Bewick's swan in the European Russian Arctic. ORYX, 56(2), 228-240. Abstract.
Goodwin CED, Léchenne M, Wilson-Aggarwal JK, Koumetio SM, Swan GJF, Moundai T, Ozella L, McDonald RA (2022). Seasonal fishery facilitates a novel transmission pathway in an emerging animal reservoir of Guinea worm. Curr Biol, 32(4), 775-782.e4. Abstract.  Author URL.
Cecchetti M, Crowley SL, Wilson-Aggarwal J, Nelli L, McDonald RA (2022). Spatial behavior of domestic cats and the effects of outdoor access restrictions and interventions to reduce predation of wildlife. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE, 4(2).  Author URL.
Gubert L, McDonald RA, Wilson RJ, Chanin P, Bennie JJ, Mathews F (2022). The elusive winter engineers: structure and materials of hazel dormouse hibernation nests. JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY, 316(2), 81-91.  Author URL.
Robertson A, Palphramand KL, McDonald RA, Middleton S, Chambers MA, Delahay RJ, Carter SP (2022). Uptake of baits by wild badgers: Influences of deployment method, badger age and activity patterns on potential delivery of an oral vaccine. Prev Vet Med, 206 Abstract.  Author URL.
Scopes ER, Goodwin CED, Al-Fulaij N, White I, Langton S, Walsh K, Broome A, McDonald R (2022). When is a dormouse ‘Endangered’? Continued population decline of Hazel Dormice (Muscardinus avellanarius) in Great Britain. (Poster). ARPHA Conference Abstracts, 5
Fielding HR, McKinley TJ, Delahay RJ, Silk MJ, McDonald RA (2021). Characterization of potential superspreader farms for bovine tuberculosis: a review. Vet Med Sci, 7(2), 310-321. Abstract.  Author URL.
Cecchetti M, Crowley SL, Goodwin CED, Cole H, McDonald J, Bearhop S, McDonald RA (2021). Contributions of wild and provisioned foods to the diets of domestic cats that depredate wild animals. Ecosphere, 12(9). Abstract.
Wilson-Aggarwal JK, Goodwin CED, Swan GJF, Fielding H, Tadesse Z, Getahun D, Odiel A, Adam A, Marshall HH, Bryant J, et al (2021). Ecology of domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) as a host for Guinea worm (Dracunculus medinensis) infection in Ethiopia. Transbound Emerg Dis, 68(2), 531-542. Abstract.  Author URL.
Crowley SL, Cecchetti M, McDonald RA (2021). Evidence for managing cats, cat owners, and predation of wildlife. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 19(10), 548-549.
Bell O, Jones ME, Cunningham CX, Ruiz-Aravena M, Hamilton DG, Comte S, Hamede RK, Bearhop S, McDonald RA (2021). Isotopic niche variation in Tasmanian devils Sarcophilus harrisii with progression of devil facial tumor disease. Ecology and Evolution, 11(12), 8038-8053. Abstract.
Cecchetti M, Crowley SL, Goodwin CED, McDonald RA (2021). Provision of High Meat Content Food and Object Play Reduce Predation of Wild Animals by Domestic Cats Felis catus. Current Biology, 31(5), 1107-1111.e5.
Reid N, Brommer JE, Stenseth NC, Marnell F, McDonald RA, Montgomery WI (2021). Regime shift tipping point in hare population collapse associated with climatic and agricultural change during the very early 20th century. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY, 27(16), 3732-3740.  Author URL.
Wilson‐Aggarwal JK, Goodwin CED, Moundai T, Sidouin MK, Swan GJF, Léchenne M, McDonald RA (2021). Spatial and temporal dynamics of space use by free‐ranging domestic dogs <i>Canis familiaris</i> in rural Africa. Ecological Applications, 31(5). Abstract.
Fielding HR, Silk MJ, McKinley TJ, Delahay RJ, Wilson-Aggarwal JK, Gauvin L, Ozella L, Cattuto C, McDonald RA (2021). Spatial and temporal variation in proximity networks of commercial dairy cattle in Great Britain. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 194, 105443-105443.
Boonham N, Tomlinson J, Ostoja-Starzewska S, McDonald RA (2020). A pond-side test for Guinea worm: Development of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for detection of Dracunculus medinensis. Exp Parasitol, 217 Abstract.  Author URL.
Bell O, Jones ME, Ruiz‐Aravena M, Hamede RK, Bearhop S, McDonald RA (2020). Age‐related variation in the trophic characteristics of a marsupial carnivore, the Tasmanian devil <i>Sarcophilus harrisii</i>. Ecology and Evolution, 10(14), 7861-7871. Abstract.
Benton CH, Phoenix J, Smith FAP, Robertson A, McDonald RA, Wilson G, Delahay RJ (2020). Badger vaccination in England: Progress, operational effectiveness and participant motivations. People and Nature, 2(3), 761-775. Abstract.
Silk MJ, McDonald RA, Delahay RJ, Padfield D, Hodgson DJ (2020). CMR<scp>net</scp>: an <scp>r</scp> package to derive networks of social interactions and movement from mark–recapture data. Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 12(1), 70-75. Abstract.
Sainsbury KA, Shore RF, Schofield H, Croose E, Hantke G, Kitchener AC, McDonald RA (2020). Diets of European polecat Mustela putorius in Great Britain during fifty years of population recovery. Mammal Research, 65(2), 181-190. Abstract.
Crowley SL, Cecchetti M, McDonald RA (2020). Diverse perspectives of cat owners indicate barriers to and opportunities for managing cat predation of wildlife. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 18(10), 544-549. Abstract.
Cecchetti M, Crowley SL, McDonald RA (2020). Drivers and facilitators of hunting behaviour in domestic cats and options for management. Mammal Review, 51(3), 307-322. Abstract.
McDonald RA, Wilson-Aggarwal JK, Swan GJF, Goodwin CED, Moundai T, Sankara D, Biswas G, Zingeser JA (2020). Ecology of domestic dogs Canis familiaris as an emerging reservoir of Guinea worm Dracunculus medinensis infection. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 14(4), e0008170-e0008170.
Goodwin CED, Swan GJF, Hodgson DJ, Bailey S, Chanin P, McDonald RA (2020). Effects of food availability on the trophic niche of the hazel dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius. Forest Ecology and Management, 470-471 Abstract.
Fielding HR, McKinley TJ, Delahay RJ, Silk MJ, McDonald RA (2020). Effects of trading networks on the risk of bovine tuberculosis incidents on cattle farms in Great Britain. Royal Society Open Science, 7(4), 191806-191806. Abstract.
Smith F, Robertson A, Smith GC, Gill P, McDonald RA, Wilson G, Delahay RJ (2020). Estimating wildlife vaccination coverage using genetic methods. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 183 Abstract.
Allen A, Guerrero J, Byrne A, Lavery J, Presho E, Courcier EA, O'Keeffe J, Fogarty U, Delahay RJ, Wilson G, et al (2020). Genetic evidence further elucidates the history and extent of badger introductions from Great Britain into Ireland. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE, 7(4).  Author URL.
Sykes N, Beirne P, Horowitz A, Jones I, Kalof L, Karlsson E, King T, Litwak H, McDonald RA, Murphy LJ, et al (2020). Humanity's Best Friend: a Dog-Centric Approach to Addressing Global Challenges. Animals (Basel), 10(3). Abstract.  Author URL.
Crowley SL, Cecchetti M, McDonald RA (2020). Our Wild Companions: Domestic cats in the Anthropocene. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 35(6), 477-483.
McNicol CM, Bavin D, Bearhop S, Bridges J, Croose E, Gill R, Goodwin CED, Lewis J, MacPherson J, Padfield D, et al (2020). Postrelease movement and habitat selection of translocated pine martens <i>Martes martes</i>. ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION, 10(11), 5106-5118.  Author URL.
McNicol CM, Bavin D, Bearhop S, Ferryman M, Gill R, Goodwin CED, MacPherson J, Silk MJ, McDonald RA (2020). Translocated native pine martens <i>Martes martes</i> alter short‐term space use by invasive non‐native grey squirrels <i>Sciurus carolinensis</i>. Journal of Applied Ecology, 57(5), 903-913. Abstract.
Swan GJF, Redpath SM, Crowley SL, McDonald RA (2020). Understanding diverse approaches to predator management among gamekeepers in England. People and Nature, 2(2), 495-508. Abstract.
Bavin D, MacPherson J, Denman H, Crowley SL, McDonald RA (2020). Using Q‐methodology to understand stakeholder perspectives on a carnivore translocation. People and Nature, 2(4), 1117-1130. Abstract.
Hudson DW, Delahay R, McDonald RA, McKinley TJ, Hodgson DJ (2019). Analysis of lifetime mortality trajectories in wildlife disease research: BaSTA and Beyond. Diversity, 11(10). Abstract.
Newth JL, Wood KA, McDonald RA, Nuno A, Semenov I, Chistyakov A, Mikhaylova G, Bearhop S, Belousova A, Glazov P, et al (2019). Conservation implications of misidentification and killing of protected species. Conservation Science and Practice, 1(5). Abstract.
Fielding HR, McKinley TJ, Silk MJ, Delahay RJ, McDonald RA (2019). Contact chains of cattle farms in Great Britain. Royal Society Open Science, 6
Silk MJ, Cant MA, Cafazzo S, Natoli E, McDonald RA (2019). Elevated aggression is associated with uncertainty in a network of dog dominance interactions. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 286(1906). Abstract.
Swan GJF, Bearhop S, Redpath SM, Silk MJ, Goodwin CED, Inger R, McDonald RA (2019). Evaluating Bayesian stable isotope mixing models of wild animal diet and the effects of trophic discrimination factors and informative priors. Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 11(1), 139-149. Abstract.
Keenan C, Saunders C, Price S, Hinchliffe S, McDonald RA (2019). From Conflict to Bridges: Towards Constructive Use of Conflict Frames in the Control of Bovine Tuberculosis. Sociologia Ruralis, 60(2), 482-504. Abstract.
Wilson-Aggarwal JK, Ozella L, Tizzoni M, Cattuto C, Swan GJF, Moundai T, Silk MJ, Zingeser JA, McDonald RA (2019). High-resolution contact networks of free-ranging domestic dogs Canis familiaris and implications for transmission of infection. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 13(7). Abstract.
Crowley SL, Cecchetti M, McDonald RA (2019). Hunting behaviour in domestic cats: an exploratory study of risk and responsibility among cat owners. People and Nature, 1(1), 18-30. Abstract.
Marjamäki PH, Dugdale HL, Dawson DA, McDonald RA, Delahay R, Burke T, Wilson AJ (2019). Individual variation and the source-sink group dynamics of extra-group paternity in a social mammal. Behavioral Ecology, 30(2), 301-312. Abstract.
Silk MJ, Hodgson DJ, Rozins C, Croft DP, Delahay RJ, Boots M, McDonald RA (2019). Integrating social behaviour, demography and disease dynamics in network models: Applications to disease management in eclining wildlife populations. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 374(1781). Abstract.
Newth JL, Lawrence A, Cromie RL, Swift JA, Rees EC, Wood KA, Strong EA, Reeves J, McDonald RA (2019). Perspectives of ammunition users on the use of lead ammunition and its potential impacts on wildlife and humans. People and Nature, 1(3), 347-361. Abstract.
Robertson A, Judge J, Wilson GJ, Vernon IJ, Delahay RJ, McDonald RA (2019). Predicting badger visits to farm yards and making predictions available to farmers. PLoS One, 14(5). Abstract.  Author URL.
Sainsbury KA, Shore RF, Schofield H, Croose E, Campbell RD, Mcdonald RA (2019). Recent history, current status, conservation and management of native mammalian carnivore species in Great Britain. Mammal Review, 49(2), 171-188. Abstract.
McDonald RA, Larivière S (2019). Review of international literature relevant to stoat control. Science for Conservation, 2019-December Abstract.
Marshall H, Inger R, Jackson AL, McDonald R, Thompson F, Cant MA (2019). Stable isotopes are quantitative indicators of diet and trophic niche. Ecology Letters
Crowley SL, Hinchliffe S, McDonald RA (2019). The parakeet protectors: Understanding opposition to introduced species management. Journal of Environmental Management, 229, 120-132. Abstract.
Carter SP, Robertson A, Palphramand KL, Chambers MA, McDonald RA, Delahay RJ (2018). Bait uptake by wild badgers and its implications for oral vaccination against tuberculosis. PLoS One, 13(11). Abstract.  Author URL.
Goodwin CED, Suggitt AJ, Bennie J, Silk MJ, Duffy JP, Al‐Fulaij N, Bailey S, Hodgson DJ, McDonald RA (2018). Climate, landscape, habitat, and woodland management associations with hazel dormouse <i>Muscardinus avellanarius</i> population status. Mammal Review, 48(3), 209-223. Abstract.
Silk MJ, Weber NL, Steward LC, Hodgson DJ, Boots M, Croft DP, Delahay RJ, McDonald RA (2018). Contact networks structured by sex underpin sex-specific epidemiology of infection. ECOLOGY LETTERS, 21(2), 309-318.  Author URL.
Sheppard CE, Marshall HH, Inger R, Thompson FJ, Vitikainen EIK, Barker S, Nichols HJ, Wells DA, McDonald RA, Cant MA, et al (2018). Decoupling of Genetic and Cultural Inheritance in a Wild Mammal. Current Biology, 28(11), 1846-1850.e2. Abstract.
Goodwin CED, Hodgson DJ, Bailey S, Bennie J, McDonald RA (2018). Habitat preferences of hazel dormice Muscardinus avellanarius and the effects of tree-felling on their movement. Forest Ecology and Management, 427, 190-199. Abstract.
Benton CH, Delahay RJ, Smith FAP, Robertson A, McDonald RA, Young AJ, Burke TA, Hodgson D (2018). Inbreeding intensifies sex- and age-dependent disease in a wild mammal. J Anim Ecol, 87(6), 1500-1511. Abstract.  Author URL.
Sheppard CE, Inger R, McDonald RA, Barker S, Jackson AL, Thompson FJ, Vitikainen EIK, Cant MA, Marshall HH (2018). Intragroup competition predicts individual foraging specialisation in a group-living mammal. Ecology Letters, 21(5), 665-673. Abstract.
Crowley SL, Hinchliffe SJ, McDonald RA (2018). Killing squirrels: Exploring motivations and practices of lethal wildlife management. Environment and Planning E: Nature and Space
Sainsbury KA, Shore RF, Schofield H, Croose E, Pereira MG, Sleep D, Kitchener AC, Hantke G, McDonald RA (2018). Long-term increase in secondary exposure to anticoagulant rodenticides in European polecats Mustela putorius in Great Britain. Environmental Pollution, 236, 689-698. Abstract.
Silk MJ, Drewe JA, Delahay RJ, Weber N, Steward LC, Wilson-Aggarwal J, Boots M, Hodgson DJ, Croft DP, McDonald RA, et al (2018). Quantifying direct and indirect contacts for the potential transmission of infection between species using a multilayer contact network. Behaviour, 155(7-9), 731-757. Abstract.
Rozins C, Silk MJ, Croft DP, Delahay RJ, Hodgson DJ, McDonald RA, Weber N, Boots M (2018). Social structure contains epidemics and regulates individual roles in disease transmission in a group-living mammal. Ecology and Evolution, 8(23), 12044-12055. Abstract.
Judge J, Wilson GJ, Macarthur R, McDonald RA, Delahay RJ (2017). Abundance of badgers (Meles meles) in England and Wales. Scientific Reports, 7(1). Abstract.
Crowley SL, Hinchliffe S, McDonald RA (2017). Conflict in invasive species management. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 15(3), 133-141. Abstract.
Devine AP, McDonald RA, Quaife T, Maclean IMD (2017). Determinants of woody encroachment and cover in African savannas. Oecologia, 183(4), 939-951. Abstract.
Crowley SL, Hinchliffe S, Redpath SM, McDonald RA (2017). Disagreement About Invasive Species Does Not Equate to Denialism: a Response to Russell and Blackburn. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 32(4), 228-229.
Swan GJF, Redpath SM, Bearhop S, McDonald RA (2017). Ecology of Problem Individuals and the Efficacy of Selective Wildlife Management. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 32(7), 518-530. Abstract.
Palphramand K, Delahay R, Robertson A, Gowtage S, Williams GA, McDonald RA, Chambers M, Carter SP (2017). Field evaluation of candidate baits for oral delivery of BCG vaccine to European badgers, Meles meles. Vaccine, 35(34), 4402-4407. Abstract.
Price S, Saunders C, Hinchliffe S, McDonald RA (2017). From contradiction to contrast in a countryside conflict: Using Q Methodology to reveal a diplomatic space for doing TB differently. Environment and Planning A: Economy and Space, 49(11), 2578-2594. Abstract.
Robertson A, Delahay RJ, Wilson GJ, Vernon IJ, McDonald RA, Judge J (2017). How well do farmers know their badgers? Relating farmer knowledge to ecological survey data. Vet Rec, 180(2). Abstract.  Author URL.
Crowley SL, Hinchliffe S, McDonald RA (2017). Nonhuman citizens on trial: the ecological politics of a beaver reintroduction. Environment and Planning A, 49(8), 1846-1866. Abstract.
Silk MJ, Weber N, Steward LC, Delahay RJ, Croft DP, Hodgson DJ, Boots M, McDonald RA (2017). Seasonal variation in daily patterns of social contacts in the European badger meles meles. Ecology and Evolution, 7(21), 9006-9015. Abstract.
Silk MJ, Croft DP, Delahay RJ, Hodgson DJ, Weber N, Boots M, Mcdonald RA (2017). The application of statistical network models in disease research. Methods in Ecology and Evolution Abstract.
Silk MJ, Croft DP, Delahay RJ, Hodgson DJ, Boots M, Weber N, McDONALD RA (2017). Using social network measures in wildlife disease ecology, epidemiology, and management. BioScience, 67(3), 245-257. Abstract.
Goodwin CED, Hodgson DJ, Al-Fulaij N, Bailey S, Langton S, Mcdonald RA (2017). Voluntary recording scheme reveals ongoing decline in the United Kingdom hazel dormouse <i>Muscardinus avellanarius</i> population. MAMMAL REVIEW, 47(3), 183-197.  Author URL.
Furness LE, Campbell A, Zhang L, Gaze WH, McDonald RA (2017). Wild small mammals as sentinels for the environmental transmission of antimicrobial resistance. Environmental Research, 154, 28-34. Abstract.
Beirne C, Waring L, Mcdonald RA, Delahay R, Young AJ (2016). Age-related declines in immune response in a wild mammal are unrelated to immune cell telomere length. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B
Robertson A, Delahay RJ, McDonald RA, Aylett P, Henderson R, Gowtage S, Chambers MA, Carter SP (2016). Behaviour of European badgers and non-target species towards candidate baits for oral delivery of a tuberculosis vaccine. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 135, 95-101. Abstract.
Benton CH, Delahay RJ, Robertson A, McDonald RA, Wilson AJ, Burke TA, Hodgson D (2016). Blood thicker than water: kinship, disease prevalence and group size drive divergent patterns of infection risk in a social mammal. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 283(1835), 20160798-20160798. Abstract.
McDonald JL, Bailey T, Delahay RJ, McDonald RA, Smith GC, Hodgson DJ (2016). Demographic buffering and compensatory recruitment promotes the persistence of disease in a wildlife population. Ecol Lett, 19(4), 443-449. Abstract.  Author URL.
Crowley SL, Hinchliffe S, McDonald RA (2016). Invasive species management will benefit from social impact assessment. Journal of Applied Ecology, 54(2), 351-357. Abstract.
Smith GC, Delahay RJ, McDonald RA, Budgey R (2016). Model of Selective and Non-Selective Management of Badgers (Meles meles) to Control Bovine Tuberculosis in Badgers and Cattle. PLoS One, 11(11). Abstract.  Author URL.
Newth JL, Rees EC, Cromie RL, McDonald RA, Bearhop S, Pain DJ, Norton GJ, Deacon C, Hilton GM (2016). Widespread exposure to lead affects the body condition of free-living whooper swans Cygnus cygnus wintering in Britain. Environ Pollut, 209, 60-67. Abstract.  Author URL.
Veale AJ, Holland OJ, Mcdonald RA, Clout MN, Gleeson DM (2015). An invasive non-native mammal population conserves genetic diversity lost from its native range. Molecular Ecology Abstract.
Tomlinson AJ, Chambers MA, McDonald RA, Delahay RJ (2015). Association of quantitative interferon-γ responses with the progression of naturally acquired Mycobacterium bovis infection in wild European badgers (Meles meles). Immunology, 144(2), 263-270. Abstract.  Author URL.
Robertson A, Chambers MA, Delahay RJ, McDonald RA, Palphramand KL, Rogers F, Carter SP (2015). Exposure of nontarget wildlife to candidate TB vaccine baits deployed for European badgers. European Journal of Wildlife Research
Jelbert K, Stott I, Mcdonald RA, Hodgson D (2015). Invasiveness of plants is predicted by size and fecundity in the native range. Ecology and Evolution Abstract.
Robertson A, McDonald RA, Delahay RJ, Kelly SD, Bearhop S (2015). Resource availability affects individual niche variation and its consequences in group-living European badgers Meles meles. Oecologia, 178(1), 31-43. Abstract.  Author URL.
Devine AP, Stott I, Mcdonald RA, Maclean IMD (2015). Woody cover in wet and dry African savannas after six decades of experimental fires. Journal of Ecology
McDonald RA (2014). Animal health: How to control bovine tuberculosis. Nature, 511(7508), 158-159.  Author URL.
Perkins MJ, McDonald RA, van Veen FJF, Kelly SD, Rees G, Bearhop S (2014). Application of nitrogen and carbon stable isotopes (δ(15)N and δ(13)C) to quantify food chain length and trophic structure. PLoS One, 9(3). Abstract.  Author URL.
McDonald RA (2014). Badgers and bovine tuberculosis. Curr Biol, 24(4), R141-R143.  Author URL.
Reid N, Lundy MG, Hayden B, Waterman T, Looney D, Lynn D, Marnell F, McDonald RA, Montgomery WI (2014). Covering over the cracks in conservation assessments at EU interfaces: a cross-jurisdictional ecoregion scale approach using the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra). Ecological Indicators, 45, 93-102. Abstract.
Judge J, Wilson GJ, Macarthur R, Delahay RJ, McDonald RA (2014). Density and abundance of badger social groups in England and Wales in 2011-2013. Sci Rep, 4 Abstract.  Author URL.
Trewby ID, Young R, McDonald RA, Wilson GJ, Davison J, Walker N, Robertson A, Doncaster CP, Delahay RJ (2014). Impacts of removing badgers on localised counts of hedgehogs. PLoS One, 9(4). Abstract.  Author URL.
Robertson A, McDonald RA, Delahay RJ, Kelly SD, Bearhop S (2014). Individual foraging specialisation in a social mammal: the European badger (Meles meles). Oecologia, 176(2), 409-421. Abstract.  Author URL.
McDonald JL, Smith GC, McDonald RA, Delahay RJ, Hodgson D (2014). Mortality trajectory analysis reveals the drivers of sex-specific epidemiology in natural wildlife-disease interactions. Proc Biol Sci, 281(1790). Abstract.  Author URL.
Godfray HCJ, Donnelly CA, Kao RR, Macdonald DW, McDonald RA, Petrokofsky G, Wood JLN, Woodroffe R, Young DB, McLean AR, et al (2013). A restatement of the natural science evidence base relevant to the control of bovine tuberculosis in Great Britain. Proc Biol Sci, 280(1768). Abstract.  Author URL.
Parry GS, Bodger O, McDonald RA, Forman DW (2013). A systematic re-sampling approach to assess the probability of detecting otters Lutra lutra using spraint surveys on small lowland rivers. Ecological Informatics
Weber NL, Carter SP, Dall SRX, Delahay RJ, McDonald JL, Bearhop S, McDonald RA (2013). Badger social networks correlate with tuberculosis infection. Current Biology, 23(20), R915-R916. Abstract.
Weber N, Bearhop S, Dall SRX, Delahay RJ, McDonald RA, Carter SP (2013). Denning behaviour of the European badger (Meles meles) correlates with bovine tuberculosis infection status. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 67, 471-479. Abstract.
Reid N, Lundy MG, Hayden B, Lynn D, Marnell F, McDonald RA, Montgomery WI (2013). Detecting detectability: identifying and correcting bias in binary wildlife surveys demonstrates their potential impact on conservation assessments. European Journal of Wildlife Research, 1-11.
Etherington TR, Trewby ID, Wilson GJ, Mcdonald RA (2013). Expert opinion-based relative landscape isolation maps for badgers across England and Wales. Area
Tomlinson AJ, Chambers MA, Carter SP, Wilson GJ, Smith GC, McDonald RA, Delahay RJ (2013). Heterogeneity in the risk of Mycobacterium bovis infection in European badger (Meles meles) cubs. Epidemiol Infect, 141(7), 1458-1466. Abstract.  Author URL.
Perkins MJ, Mcdonald RA, van Veen FJF, Kelly SD, Rees G, Bearhop S (2013). Important impacts of tissue selection and lipid extraction on ecological parameters derived from stable isotope ratios. Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 4(10), 944-953. Abstract.
Graham J, Smith GC, Delahay RJ, Bailey TC, McDonald RA, Hodgson D (2013). Multistate modelling reveals sex-dependent transmission, progression and severity of tuberculosis in wild badgers. Epidemiology and Infection, 141, 1417-1427.
Drewe JA, O'Connor HM, Weber N, McDonald RA, Delahay RJ (2013). Patterns of direct and indirect contact between cattle and badgers naturally infected with tuberculosis. Epidemiology and Infection, 141(7), 1467-1475. Abstract.
Tomlinson AJ, Chambers MA, Wilson GJ, McDonald RA, Delahay RJ (2013). Sex-related heterogeneity in the life-history correlates of Mycobacterium bovis infection in European badgers (Meles meles). Transbound Emerg Dis, 60 Suppl 1, 37-45. Abstract.  Author URL.
Brown SL, Bearhop S, Harrod C, McDonald RA (2012). A review of spatial and temporal variation in grey and common seal diet in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 92(8), 1711-1722. Abstract.
Carter SP, Chambers MA, Rushton SP, Shirley MDF, Schuchert P, Pietravalle S, Murray A, Rogers F, Gettinby G, Smith GC, et al (2012). BCG vaccination reduces risk of tuberculosis infection in vaccinated badgers and unvaccinated badger cubs. PLoS One, 7(12). Abstract.  Author URL.
Reid N, Wilson GJ, Montgomery WI, McDonald RA (2012). Changes in the prevalence of badger persecution in Northern Ireland. European Journal of Wildlife Research, 58(1), 177-183. Abstract.
Smith GC, McDonald RA, Wilkinson D (2012). Comparing Badger (Meles meles) management strategies for reducing tuberculosis incidence in cattle. PLoS ONE, 7(6). Abstract.
Ritchie EG, Elmhagen B, Glen AS, Letnic M, Ludwig G, McDonald RA (2012). Ecosystem restoration with teeth: what role for predators?. Trends in Ecology and Evolution
Mill AC, Rushton SP, Shirley MDF, Murray AWA, Smith GC, Delahay RJ, McDonald RA (2012). Farm-scale risk factors for bovine tuberculosis incidence in cattle herds during the Randomized Badger Culling Trial. Epidemiology and Infection, 140(2), 219-230. Abstract.
Reid N, Etherington TR, Wilson GJ, Montgomery WI, McDonald RA (2012). Monitoring and population estimation of the European badger Meles meles in Northern Ireland. Wildlife Biology, 18(1), 46-57. Abstract.
Drewe JA, Weber N, Carter SP, Bearhop S, Harrison XA, Dall SRX, McDonald RA, Delahay RJ (2012). Performance of proximity loggers in recording intra- and inter-species interactions: a laboratory and field-based validation study. PLoS One, 7(6). Abstract.
Tosh DG, McDonald RA, Bearhop S, Llewellyn NR, Montgomery WI, Shore RF (2012). Rodenticide exposure in wood mouse and house mouse populations on farms and potential secondary risk to predators. Ecotoxicology, 21(5), 1325-1332. Abstract.  Author URL.
Gortázar C, Delahay RJ, Mcdonald RA, Boadella M, Wilson GJ, Gavier-Widen D, Acevedo P (2012). The status of tuberculosis in European wild mammals. Mammal Review, 42(3), 193-206. Abstract.
Robertson A, McDonald RA, Delahay RJ, Kelly SD, Bearhop S (2012). Whisker growth in wild Eurasian badgers Meles meles: implications for stable isotope and bait marking studies. European Journal of Wildlife Research, 1-10.
Bodey TW, Mcdonald RA, Sheldon RD, Bearhop S (2011). Absence of effects of predator control on nesting success of Northern Lapwings <i>Vanellus vanellus</i>: implications for conservation. IBIS, 153(3), 543-555.  Author URL.
Chambers MA, Rogers F, Delahay RJ, Lesellier S, Ashford R, Dalley D, Gowtage S, Dave D, Palmer S, Brewer J, et al (2011). Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccination reduces the severity and progression of tuberculosis in badgers. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, 278(1713), 1913-1920.  Author URL.
Tosh DG, McDonald RA, Bearhop S, Lllewellyn NR, Fee S, Sharp EA, Barnett EA, Shore RF (2011). Does small mammal prey guild affect the exposure of predators to anticoagulant rodenticides?. Environ Pollut, 159(10), 3106-3112. Abstract.  Author URL.
Judge J, McDonald RA, Walker N, Delahay RJ (2011). Effectiveness of biosecurity measures in preventing badger visits to farm buildings. PLoS One, 6(12). Abstract.  Author URL.
Palphramand KL, Walker N, McDonald RA, Delahay RJ (2011). Evaluating seasonal bait delivery to badgers using rhodamine B. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE RESEARCH, 57(1), 35-43.  Author URL.
Bodey TW, Bearhop S, McDonald RA (2011). Localised control of an introduced predator: creating problems for the future?. Biol Invasions, 13(12), 2817-2828. Abstract.
Gurnell J, McDonald R, Lurz PWW (2011). Making red squirrels more visible: the use of baited visual counts to monitor populations. MAMMAL REVIEW, 41(3), 244-250.  Author URL.
Simberloff D, Alexander J, Allendorf F, Aronson J, Antunes PM, Bacher S, Bardgett R, Bertolino S, Bishop M, Blackburn TM, et al (2011). Non-natives: 141 scientists object. NATURE, 475(7354), 36-36.  Author URL.
Bodey TW, Bearhop S, McDonald RA (2011). The diet of an invasive alien predator the feral ferret Mustela furo: implications for the conservation of ground nesting birds. Eur J Wildl Res, 57, 107-117. Abstract.
Tosh DG, Shore RF, Jess S, Withers A, Bearhop S, Ian Montgomery W, McDonald RA (2011). User behaviour, best practice and the risks of non-target exposure associated with anticoagulant rodenticide use. J Environ Manage, 92(6), 1503-1508. Abstract.  Author URL.
Delahay RJ, Walker N, Gunn MR, Christie C, Wilson GJ, Cheeseman CL, McDonald RA (2011). Using lifetime tooth-wear scores to predict age in wild Eurasian badgers: performance of a predictive model. JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY, 284(3), 183-191.  Author URL.
Robb GN, McDonald RA, Inger R, Reynolds SJ, Newton J, McGill RAR, Chamberlain DE, Harrison TJE, Bearhop S (2011). Using stable-isotope analysis as a technique for determining consumption of supplementary foods by individual birds. Condor, 113(3), 475-482. Abstract.
Bodey TW, Bearhop S, Roy SS, Newton J, McDonald RA (2010). Behavioural responses of invasive American mink Neovison vison to an eradication campaign, revealed by stable isotope analysis. Journal of Applied Ecology, 47(1), 114-120. Abstract.
Inger R, McDonald RA, Rogowski D, Jackson AL, Parnell A, Preston SJ, Harrod C, Goodwin C, Griffiths D, Dick JTA, et al (2010). Do non-native invasive fish support elevated lamprey populations?. Journal of Applied Ecology, 47, 121-129. Abstract.  Author URL.
Anderson ORJ, Phillips RA, Shore RF, McGill RAR, McDonald RA, Bearhop S (2010). Element patterns in albatrosses and petrels: influence of trophic position, foraging range, and prey type. Environ Pollut, 158(1), 98-107. Abstract.  Author URL.
Reid N, McDonald RA, Montgomery WI (2010). Homogeneous habitat can meet the discrete and varied resource requirements of hares but may set an ecological trap. Biological Conservation, 143(7), 1701-1706. Abstract.
Marques TA, Buckland ST, Borchers DL, Tosh D, McDonald RA (2010). Point Transect Sampling Along Linear Features. BIOMETRICS, 66(4), 1247-1255.  Author URL.
Anderson ORJ, Phillips RA, Shore RF, McGill RAR, McDonald RA, Bearhop S (2009). Diet, individual specialisation and breeding of brown skuas (Catharacta antarctica lonnbergi): an investigation using stable isotopes. Polar Biology, 32(1), 27-33. Abstract.
Anderson ORJ, Phillips RA, McDonald RA, Shore RF, McGill RAR, Bearhop S (2009). Influence of trophic position and foraging range on mercury levels within a seabird community. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 375, 277-288. Abstract.
Bodey TW, McDonald RA, Bearhop S (2009). Mesopredators constrain a top predator: competitive release of ravens after culling crows. Biol Lett, 5(5), 617-620. Abstract.  Author URL.
Judge J, Ward A, Delahay R, McDonald R, Roper T, Tolhurst B, Garnett B (2009). Tracking badger visits to farmyards. Vet Rec, 164(21), 667-668.  Author URL.
Crawford K, McDonald RA, Bearhop S (2008). Applications of stable isotope techniques to the ecology of mammals. Mammal Review, 38(1), 87-107. Abstract.
Trewby ID, Wilson GJ, Delahay RJ, Walker N, Young R, Davison J, Cheeseman C, Robertson PA, Gorman ML, McDonald RA, et al (2008). Experimental evidence of competitive release in sympatric carnivores. Biol Lett, 4(2), 170-172. Abstract.  Author URL.
Robb GN, McDonald RA, Chamberlain DE & Bearhop S (2008). Food for thought: supplementary feeding as a driver of ecological change in avian populations. Frontiers in Ecology, 6
McDonald RA, Birtles RJ, McCracken C, Day MJ (2008). Histological and serological evidence of disease among invasive, non-native stoats Mustela erminea. Vet J, 175(3), 403-408. Abstract.  Author URL.
McDonald RA, Delahay RJ, Carter SP, Smith GC, Cheeseman CL (2008). Perturbing implications of wildlife ecology for disease control. Trends Ecol Evol, 23(2), 53-56. Abstract.  Author URL.
Provan J, Beatty GE, Hunter AM, McDonald RA, McLaughlin E, Preston SJ, Wilson S (2008). Restricted gene flow in fragmented populations of a wind-pollinated tree. Conservation Genetics, 9(6), 1521-1532. Abstract.
Robb GN, McDonald RA, Chamberlain DE, Reynolds SJ, Harrison TJE & Bearhop S (2008). Winter feeding of birds increases productivity in the subsequent breeding season. Biology Letters, 4, 220-223.
Yalden DW, Shore RF, McDonald RA (2007). British mammal populations: fifty years of change. MAMMAL REVIEW, 37(4), 257-258.  Author URL.
McDonald RA, O'Hara K, Morrish DJ (2007). Decline of invasive alien mink (Mustela vison) is concurrent with recovery of native otters (Lutra lutra). Diversity and Distributions, 13(1), 92-98. Abstract.
Reid N, McDonald RA, Montgomery WI (2007). Factors associated with hare mortality during coursing. Animal Welfare, 16(4), 427-434. Abstract.
Reid N, McDonald RA, Montgomery WI (2007). Mammals and agri-environment schemes: Hare haven or pest paradise?. Journal of Applied Ecology, 44(6), 1200-1208. Abstract.
Martínková N, McDonald RA, Searle JB (2007). Stoats (Mustela erminea) provide evidence of natural overland colonization of Ireland. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 274(1616), 1387-1393. Abstract.
Preston SJ, Portig AA, Montgomery WI, McDonald RA, Dick JTA, Fairley JS (2007). TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL VARIATION IN OTTER LUTRA LUTRA DIET IN NORTHERN IRELAND. Biology & Environment Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, 107B(2), 61-66.
Preston SJ, Portig AA, Montgomery WI, McDonald RA, Dick JTA, Fairley JS (2007). Temporal and spatial variation in otter <i>Lutra lutra</i> diet in Northern Ireland. BIOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT-PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY, 107B(2), 61-66.  Author URL.
Kelly DW, Bailey RJ, MacNeil C, Dick JTA, McDonald RA (2006). Invasion by the amphipod Gammarus pulex alters community composition of native freshwater macroinvertebrates. Diversity and Distributions, 12(5), 525-534. Abstract.
Preston SJ, Portig AA, Montgomery WI, McDonald RA, Fairley JS (2006). STATUS AND DIET OF THE OTTER LUTRA LUTRA IN NORTHERN IRELAND. Biology & Environment Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, 106B(1), 57-63.
Preston SJ, Portig AA, Montgomery WI, McDonald RA, Fairley JS (2006). Status and diet of the otter Lutra lutra in Northern Ireland. Biology and Environment, 106(1), 57-63. Abstract.
Stokes KE, O'Neill KP, Montgomery WI, Dick JTA, Maggs CA, Mcdonald RA (2006). The importance of stakeholder engagement in invasive species management: a cross-jurisdictional perspective in Ireland. Biodiversity and Conservation, 15(8), 2829-2852. Abstract.
Mcdonald RA, Yalden DW (2004). Survey techniques for monitoring mammals: Editor's introduction. Mammal Review, 34(1-2), 1-2.
Mcdonald RA (2003). Mammal communication: public understanding and standing of publications. MAMMAL REVIEW, 33(1), 1-2.  Author URL.
Woods M, McDonald RA, Harris S (2003). Predation of wildlife by domestic cats Felis catus in Great Britain. Mammal Review, 33(2), 174-188. Abstract.
McDonald RA, Larivière S (2002). Captive husbandry of stoats <i>Mustela erminea</i>. NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY, 29(3), 177-186.  Author URL.
Mcdonald RA, Harris S (2002). Population biology of stoats Mustela erminea and weasels Mustela nivalis on game estates in Great Britain. Journal of Applied Ecology, 39(5), 793-805. Abstract.
Mcdonald RA (2002). Resource partitioning among British and Irish mustelids. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY, 71(2), 185-200.  Author URL.
McDonald RA (2002). The perfect disciple - the perfect hunter. The myths and realities of Mustela. British Wildlife, 13(6), 419-426.
McDonald RA, Larivière S (2001). Diseases and pathogens of <i>Mustela</i> spp. with special reference to the biological control of introduced stoat <i>Mustela erminea</i> populations in New Zealand. JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF NEW ZEALAND, 31(4), 721-744.  Author URL.
McDonald RA, Day MJ, Birtles RJ (2001). Histological evidence of disease in wild stoats (Mustela erminea) in England. Vet Rec, 149(22), 671-675. Abstract.  Author URL.
McDonald RA, Larivière S (2001). Review of international literature relevant to stoat control. Science for Conservation(170), 5-77. Abstract.
McDonald RA, King CM (2000). Biology of mustelids: reviews and future directions. MAMMAL REVIEW, 30(3-4), 145-146.  Author URL.
McDonald RA (2000). Live fast--die young. The life history of stoats and weasels. Biologist (London), 47(3), 120-124. Abstract.  Author URL.
Mcdonald RA (2000). Resource partitioning in the diet of British mustelids. Mammal Review, 30(3-4), 229-229.
Murphy EC, Mcdonald RA (2000). Stoats as conservation pests in New Zealand. Mammal Review, 30(3-4), 230-230.
McDonald RA, Webbon C, Harris S (2000). The diet of stoats (Mustela erminea) and weasels (Mustela nivalis) in Great Britain. Journal of Zoology, 252(3), 363-371. Abstract.
McDonald RA, Webbon C, Harris S (2000). The diet of stoats (Mustela erminea) and weasels (Mustela nivalis) in Great Britain. Journal of Zoology, 252(3), 363-371.
Mcdonald RA, Harris S (2000). The use of fumigants and anticoagulant rodenticides on game estates in Great Britain. Mammal Review, 30(1), 57-64. Abstract.
Mcdonald RA (2000). Using gamekeeper trapping records to monitor the abundance of Stoats and Weasels. Mammal Review, 30(3-4), 229-229.
McDonald RA, Vaughan N (1999). An efficient way to prepare mammalian skulls and bones. Mammal Review, 29(4), 265-266.
McDonald RA, Harris S (1999). The use of trapping records to monitor populations of stoats Mustela erminea and weasels M. nivalis: the importance of trapping effort. Journal of Applied Ecology, 36(5), 679-688. Abstract.
McDonald RA, Harris S, Turnbull G, Brown P, Fletcher M (1998). Anticoagulant rodenticides in stoats (Mustela erminea) and weasels (Mustela nivalis) in England. Environmental Pollution, 103(1), 17-23. Abstract.
McDonald RA, Hutchings MR, Keeling JGM (1997). The status of ship rats Rattus rattus on the Shiant Islands, outer Hebrides, Scotland. Biological Conservation, 82(1), 113-117. Abstract.

Chapters

Lane J, McDonald RA (2024). Welfare and ‘best practice’ in field studies of wildlife. In  (Ed) The UFAW Handbook on the Care and Management of Laboratory and Other Research Animals, Wiley, 84-100.
McDonald JL, Delahay RJ, McDonald RA (2019). Bovine tuberculosis in badgers: Sociality, infection and demography in a social mammal. In  (Ed) Wildlife Disease Ecology: Linking Theory to Data and Application, 342-367. Abstract.
Lane JM, Mcdonald RA (2010). Welfare and 'Best Practice' in Field Studies of Wildlife. In  (Ed) The UFAW Handbook on the Care and Management of Laboratory and Other Research Animals: Eighth Edition, 92-106.
Stokes KE, O’neill KP, Montgomery WI, Dick JTA, Maggs CA, Mcdonald RA (2006). The importance of stakeholder engagement in invasive species management: a cross-jurisdictional perspective in Ireland. In  (Ed) Human Exploitation and Biodiversity Conservation, Springer Nature, 489-512.

Back to top

External Engagement and Impact

Editorial responsibilities

Associate Editor, Frontiers in Ecology and Environment (Ecological Society of America)

Associate Editor, Mammal Review (The Mammal Society)


External Examiner Positions

Newcastle University. MSc (Wildlife Management) - Until 2018


External positions

Chief Insights Officer, The Office for Environmental Protection

Trustee, Vincent Wildlife Trust

Member, World Health Organization, Independent Commission for the Certification of Dracunculiasis Eradication, Working Group on Animal Certification, and Working Group on Diagnostics Target Product Profiles for Guinea worm.

Back to top

Supervision / Group

Postdoctoral researchers

Postgraduate researchers

Research Technicians

Alumni

  • Kelly Astley. MbyRes researcher (Ecology of bovine tuberculosis)
  • David Bavin. MPhil researcher (Pine marten translocation)
  • Dr Tom Bodey. Chancellor's Fellow, University of Aberdeen (Formerly Marie Curie Outgoing Research Fellow)
  • Dr Martina Cecchetti. PhD researcher (Cats, cat owners and cat predation of wildlife)
  • Sarah Crowley Lecturer in Human Geography, University of Exeter (Formerly PhD researcher, Social aspects of invasive species management and Research Associate, Cats, cat owners and predation of wildlife)
  • Dr Helen Fielding MRCVS. PhD researcher (Superspreader farms and bovine tuberculosis transmission) - Completed 2019. Now research fellow at University of Edinburgh
  • Dr Cecily Goodwin. PhD researcher (Dormouse conservation in woodlands) - completed 2018. Research Associate (Guinea worm infection in dogs). Now spatial ecological modeller at UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.
  • Dr Monique Lechenne (med. vet.). Project Associate, Swiss TPH (Research Fellow, Guinea worm infection in dogs)
  • Dr Cat McNicol. PhD researcher (Ecological effects of pine marten translocations) - Completed 2019. Now pine marten recovery project manager, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust
  • Dr Julia Newth. PhD researcher (Swan conservation) - Completed 2019. Now Ecosystem Health and Social Dimensions manager at WWT.
  • Dr Katie Sainsbury. PhD researcher (Polecat recovery in Great Britain) - Completed 2019. Now research fellow at University of Cambridge Conservation Evidence team
  • Metinou Sidouin. Research Technician and Veterinary Consultant (Guinea worm infection in dogs)
  • Dr Lucy Steward. PhD researcher (Social networks of TB infection in badgers) - Completed 2016. Statistician at Government Statistical Service.
  • Dr George Swan. PhD researcher (Conflicts between game shooting and predation) - Completed 2017. Now CONICYT fellow at Austral University of Valdivia, Chile.
  • Dr Jared Wilson-Aggarwal. Postdoc at University of Leeds (PhD on social networks of free-ranging domestic dogs)
  • Dr Richard Woods. Data Scientist, ECEHH (Management of starlings on farms, ERDF Agri-Tech Cornwall and Isles of Scilly)

Back to top

Office Hours:

I am currently on secondment to the Office for Environmental Protection (www.theoep,org,uk) as their Chief Insights Officer.

Back to top

Edit Profile