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Grandmother killer whales improve survival of calves
“The findings help to explain factors that are driving the whales’ survival and reproductive success" - Dr Stuart Nattrass

Study could help solve ‘evolutionary puzzle’ of menopause 

A new study from the University of York has found that post-menopausal killer whale grandmothers have the largest beneficial impact on their grand-calves’ chances of survival.

The research team was made up of groups from the Universities of York and Exeter, the Centre for Whale Research and Fisheries and Oceans Canada – analysing 36 years of data on two populations of resident killer whales.

Researchers suggested that because grandmothers who can no longer reproduce have no calves of their own, they therefore have more free time and resources to focus on other offspring. This is supported by the fact that the impact on calves that lost a post-menopausal grandmother was greater in years when food resources were scarce.

Previous studies have revealed that, when foraging in salmon grounds, post-reproductive female killer whales fill an important leadership role for the group as they are the most knowledgeable. The authors of the study theorise that these benefits to the group could help to explain why the menopause has only evolved in some species of whales and humans.

Dr Dan Franks from the University of York’s department of biology said: “The study suggests that breeding grandmothers are not able to provide the same level of support as grandmothers who no longer breed. This means that the evolution of menopause has increased a grandmother’s capacity to help her grand-offspring.”

Lead author of the study Dr Stuart Nattrass, from the University of York added: “The findings help to explain factors that are driving the whales’ survival and reproductive success, which is essential information given that the Southern Resident killer whales - one of the whale populations under study - is listed as endangered and at risk of extinction.”

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.