Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 12th August 2016
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Killer whales offer clues on human menopause
killer whales
Post-menopausal killer whales were observed leading their social groups in salmon foraging grounds.
Post-menopausal whales help family members to find food
 
New research shows female killer whales play a vital role in their social groups after menopause, helping their families to find food in difficult times.

Humans and some whales are the only species to live many years after giving birth to their last offspring. Female killer whales generally breed between the ages of 12 and 40 but they can live up to 90 years.

Researchers from the Universities of Exeter and York, in partnership with the Center for Whale Research in Washington State, explored why female killer whales live so long after menopause. It is thought these animals could offer insights into menopause in human females.

Professor Darren Croft from the University of Exeter told BBC News: "From an evolutionary perspective, it's very difficult to explain. Why would an individual stop having their own offspring so early in life?"

Studying orcas in the wild "could help us reveal some of the mystery of why menopause evolved," he added.

The team watched hundreds of hours' worth of video footage, showing the interactions of family groups in the North Pacific coast in the USA. Post-menopausal killer whales were observed leading their social groups in salmon foraging grounds. This leadership role was found to be much more prominent in difficult years when salmon was scarce.

Family social structures are known to be critical to whale survival and Prof Croft said the population they are working with are "living on a knife edge" which could see them go extinct in the next century.

"The population has been listed as endangered since 2003," he explained. "Two critical questions have been highlighted - what is causing decreased reproduction and increased mortality."

Now, researchers are planning to use drones to find out more about the social interactions of killer whales and how they support each other. They believe this could 'revolutionise' our understanding of whale behaviour. The team have launched a crowdfunding campaign to fund the next stage of their work.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.