Social Disconnection Threatens Wildlife Populations

Study shows loosely social species more vulnerable to extinction due to loss of social interactions

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have found that loosely social species, such as deer, squirrels, and chickadees, may be more vulnerable to extinction due to population declines that limit their social interactions. The study challenges the long-held assumption that social connections matter most for "highly social species" like humans and wolves, showing that even common "loosely social" animals that form temporary friendships rather than living in stable groups could face collapse if their populations shrink and they lose the benefits of social interactions.

Why it matters

This finding comes at a time when many wildlife populations are declining due to climate change, habitat loss, and exploitation. Understanding which species are most susceptible to collapse can help researchers and conservationists better forecast and address the risks facing vulnerable animal populations.

The details

The study, published in Trends in Ecology & Evolution, builds on the work of American ecologist Warder Clyde Allee, who showed nearly a century ago that animals often do better in larger groups. While previous research has linked larger group sizes to higher reproductive success and survival in highly social animals, the new study suggests that loosely social species may be more vulnerable to the loss of social interactions when their populations decline.

  • The study was published in February 2026.

The players

University of Colorado Boulder

The institution where the researchers who conducted the study are based.

Michael Gil

The senior author of the study and a professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Samantha Rothberg

The first author of the study and a doctoral student in Michael Gil's lab at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Ella Henry

Another doctoral student in Michael Gil's lab at the University of Colorado Boulder who contributed to the study.

Warder Clyde Allee

An American ecologist who showed nearly a century ago that animals often do better when they are in larger groups, a phenomenon known as an Allee effect.

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What they’re saying

“This finding comes at a moment when many wildlife populations are shrinking or fragmenting due to climate change, habitat loss and exploitation. We provide a new framework for predicting which species are most susceptible to collapse so we can better forecast risk.”

— Michael Gil, Senior author, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado Boulder (Mirage News)

“We can relate to that as humans, because we can benefit a lot from the information provided by individuals around us.”

— Samantha Rothberg, Doctoral student, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado Boulder (Mirage News)

What’s next

The researchers plan to further investigate the specific mechanisms by which the loss of social interactions can lead to the collapse of loosely social species, in order to better understand and predict the risks facing vulnerable wildlife populations.

The takeaway

This study challenges the assumption that social connections matter most for highly social species, showing that even common animals that form temporary social bonds could be at risk of extinction if their populations decline and they lose the benefits of those interactions. It highlights the importance of considering the social dynamics of a wide range of species when assessing conservation needs and forecasting population risks.