This work applies the generalized Lotka Volterra (GLV) model to study complete replacement synchronization in population dynamics. We examine how three functional responses linear and Holling type II and III-affect the system’s overall behaviour. Focusing on the linear functional response, we analyze the model’s analytical and dynamical properties for three parameter sets, demonstrating chaotic oscillations and thus stabilize the unstable fixed points using appropriate controllers. Our results show how chaotic ecological models can help forecast populations of competing species in new habitats when information from a similar system is available. To do this, we construct a drive-response setup by coupling predator populations, where the prey of the drive system acts as the driving variable and predators in the response system feed only on that prey. Using active and adaptive control methods, we achieve synchronization between two coupled GLV models and validate the analytical findings through numerical simulations.