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Japanese monkey displays mating behaviour with deer
Researchers observed a male Japanese macaque trying to mate with a female sika deer.

Incident observed on Yakushima Island

A male Japanese monkey has been observed trying to mate with female sika deer.

The incident was filmed by researchers on Yakushima Island, Japan, and is described in the journal Primates.

The researchers say that while Japanese macaques are known to ride deer in a playful manner, this particular monkey displayed obvious sexual behaviour towards several female deer.

‘Although this phenomenon may be explained as copulation learning, this is highly unlikely,’ the authors write.

‘The most realistic hypothesis would be that of mate deprivation, which states that males with limited access to females are more likely to display this behaviour.

‘Whatever the cause for this event may be, the observation of highly unusual animal behaviour may be a key to understanding the evolution of heterospecific mating behaviour in the animal kingdom.’

This is not the first example of mating behaviour between different species. In 2014, Antarctic fur seals were caught trying to mate with king penguins.

The study, which made headlines around the world, found that some penguins were eaten and killed after the mating occurred.

Image (C) Alexandre Bonnefoy

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Prof Joanne Webster elected as Fellow of the Royal Society

News Story 1
 Joanne Webster, a professor of parasitic diseases at the RVC, has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS).

An infectious disease expert, Prof Webster is known for promoting a One Health approach to disease control.

She completed her doctoral research in zoonotic disease and parasite-host interactions, and has since earned widespread recognition for contributions to parasitology and global health.

Prof Webster said: "I am truly honoured, and somewhat stunned, to be recognised alongside such an exceptional group of scientists." 

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News Shorts
Germany FMD import restrictions eased

The UK government has lifted the import restrictions placed on FMD-susceptible commodities from Germany.

The decision comes after the country was recognised as foot-and-mouth disease free without vaccination on 14 May.

Imports of FMD-susceptible animals and their by-products from Germany were originally banned, after the country reported a case of FMD near Brandenburg in January. In March, the UK government permitted imports from outside of the outbreak zone.

Germany will now be able to import FMD-susceptible animals and their by-products into the UK, providing they meet other import conditions.

The decision follows rigorous technical assessment of measures in Germany. Defra says it will not hesitate respond to FMD outbreaks.