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WDC2023-007 NMLC Release (16)

Seal Rescued in Marshfield Released Back Into The Wild

For Immediate Release, May 31, 2023 PLYMOUTH, MA - A young male grey seal that...

Norway ups whale kill numbers and removes whale welfare protections

The whaling season in Norway has begun on the back of disturbing announcements from the...
Image taken from an unmanned hexacopter at >100ft during a research collaboration between NOAA/SWFSC, SR3 and the Coastal Ocean Research Institute. Research authorized by NMFS permit #19091.

Southern Resident orca petition to list them under Oregon Endangered Species Act advanced

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission voted today to advance a petition seeking to protect...
Hysazu Photography

WDC and Conservation Partners Continue to Seek Oregon Endangered Species Protection for Southern Resident Orcas

On Friday, April 21st, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will determine whether the petition...

Animal culture crucial for conservation says new research paper

Grey whale eye

New research published today in The Royal Society Journal Proceedings B  creates a compelling case for integrating the social learning and culture of creatures like whales into decision-making.

WDC’s Philippa Brakes, together with a number of experts working on a wide range of species, from whales to chimpanzees, argues in the new paper that the cultural knowledge of some creatures should be taken into consideration for their conservation and future survival.

We are only now beginning to appreciate just how important these aspects are to species’ resilience and yet they are rarely ever considered in wildlife conservation planning.

The in-depth analysis provides a ground-breaking roadmap for scientists, policy-makers and conservation practitioners to embed culture into conservation policy and practice.  Faced with the urgent threat of a biodiversity crisis, this could make all the difference in maximizing the survival prospects of individuals, social groups and populations.

The paper has been published as Disney is set to air its new series on the subject of whale culture, Secrets of the Whales. The series, which begins on the 22nd April, could be a genuine game changer for how the public perceive whales and dolphins, and their understanding of just how important the rich social lives and unique cultures are to these species.

Like humans, many other animals learn important things from each other. For example, whales using ‘bubble-feeding’ techniques to catch fish. Socially learned foraging techniques transmitted between bottlenose dolphins may help buffer against environmental events such as marine heatwaves, and culturally transmitted humpback whale song may help us identify and assess populations.

Over time, learned behavior can create differences between groups of whales or dolphins that reflect different cultures which shape how they forage for food, migrate or communicate. Understanding these socially learned behavioral differences between groups can guide decisions on how to define groups to protect. It can also inform practical conservation measures, such as teaching anti-predator behaviors, or helping with reintroduction to the wild.

“Conservation practice has long been guided by genetics and ecology that assess how unique or connected different groups of animals are”, says lead author Philippa Brakes. “We show that social learning and animal culture is another important facet of biology that can guide effective conservation strategies.”

 

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