Researchers hunt each other in the Quebec wilderness for science

Université Laval researchers ran a human predator‑prey game in Éco‑Laurentides, dividing participants into prey, mesopredators and apex predators to run 30‑minute simulations; their paper, published in Methods in Ecology and Evolution, found players often used strategies similar to wild animals. The team and outside scientists say the exercise is a useful teaching and exploratory method but cannot replace field observations of real animals.

Researchers from Université Laval organised a human predator‑prey exercise in the Éco‑Laurentides park near Val‑Morin, Quebec, to explore interactions between hunters and hunted. The experiment used thirty‑minute simulations in which participants played prey, mesopredators and apex predators and sought resources placed around the area. The project aimed to test whether a controlled human game could reveal behavioural patterns and help develop analytical tools for ecological questions. Results were published in the open‑access journal Methods in Ecology and Evolution and the researchers highlighted both educational value and methodological limits. Key details: - The field exercise took place in July 2023 and involved David Bolduc and about two dozen students from various countries. - Players were assigned roles: prey (collect resources, "reproduce" by connecting with teammates, avoid capture), mesopredators, and apex predators. Simulations lasted about 30 minutes each. - The published findings reported that human players often used strategies resembling those seen in wildlife, for example predators using well‑worn paths and prey staying in shaded routes. - Researchers and external ecologists noted important limitations: players bring individual biases, there is no real mortality risk, and social relationships among participants can affect behaviour. - Outside scientists described the approach as fun and innovative and said it can be useful in the right context, particularly for teaching and hypothesis‑testing. Summary: The experiment provided a hands‑on, low‑cost way to prototype hypotheses and analytical approaches and to spark discussion about ecological theory in a teaching setting. Researchers and peer ecologists say the method can help identify ideas to test in nature, but follow‑up observation of wild animals is required before drawing conclusions about real predator‑prey systems.