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Grooming habits of chimpanzees
Study suggests location affects grooming habits

A study has concluded that chimpanzee grooming habits are more influenced by where they live than by genetic or ecological influences.

According to Proceedings of the Royal Society B, where the findings were published, different communities of semi-wild chimps showed different social behaviours to one another.

A specific style of grooming, the grooming hand clasp (GHC), is only used in certain chimp communities according to previous studies. The more recent study, however, has highlighted the different styles of GHC, which researchers believe are learned by social convention.

The researchers recorded GHC behaviour in four social groups of chimps living in the Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust (CWOT), Zambia.

Professor Frans de Waal, director of the Living Links Centre at Emory University's Yerkes Primate Centre, commented: 'The present study goes beyond [previous studies] in taking neighbouring communities where genetics and ecology are the same, and finding substantial differences from group to group. This is an extra argument for social learning.'

The conclusions have shown links with human social behaviours and will help scientists understand how human cultures began.

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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

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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.