Funding was provided to Oscar Horta (University of Santiago de Compostela), Asher Soryl (University of Otago), Daniel Dorado (University Carlos III of Madrid), and Max Carpendale for this study. The purpose of this research project is to explore how to establish an expert field of research on wild animal welfare. This project will include a discussion on why prioritizing targeted capacity building is currently more valuable for wild animal welfare advocates, the costs and benefits of establishing an interdisciplinary field, and a series of case studies investigating key factors in recently established academic fields.