Latest news with #LoroParque
Yahoo
a day ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Orcas filmed making out in the wild for first time
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. For the first time ever, a pair of orcas have been spotted making out in the wild. The amorous pair was observed nibbling each other's tongues during a snorkeling expedition in the Kvænangen fjords in northern Norway, around 68 miles (109 kilometers) northeast of Tromsø, according to a new study published June 11 in the journal Oceans. This tongue-nibbling behavior has only previously been seen on a handful of occasions in captivity. The action, described as resembling "kissing" by the citizen scientists who observed it, may play a role in social bonding, the researchers suggest. The citizen scientists spotted and recorded this unique behavior during a whale-watching snorkeling expedition in October 2024. The interaction lasted just under two minutes and involved three bouts of gentle mouth-to-mouth contact between the two orcas (Orcinus orca). Afterward, the pair swam their separate ways. Tongue-nibbling was first seen in captive orcas in 1978 and was described again in 2019 at Loro Parque, a zoo in Tenerife, Spain that houses three captive orcas. The researchers spoke to a range of divers and other orca researchers regarding the behavior in the wild, but only a handful had ever spotted it. Trainers at Loro Parque noted that four individuals at the facility had been seen tongue-nibbling, but the orcas had not performed the behavior for several years. "Tongue-nibbling is exceptionally rare," study co-author Javier Almunia, a marine mammal researcher and director of Loro Parque Fundación, told Live Science via email. "Orca caretakers at several facilities are aware of the behaviour, but its prevalence is extremely low — it may appear and then not be observed again for several years." Mouth contact between animals is seen in a vast number of species and can represent a variety of different social cues. Many social animals use mouth contact to reinforce bonds, such as primates, who engage in kissing or lip-touching as a sign of trust and friendship. In dogs and wolves, mouth licking, especially from younger or subordinate individuals, can represent a sign of respect or submission to a higher-ranking individual. The researchers suggest that tongue-nibbling in orcas may be a form of social bonding, similar to that seen in belugas (Delphinapterus leucas), a type of toothed whale. "Tongue-nibbling itself has not been recorded in other species, but comparable mouth-related social interactions have been observed in belugas (e.g., mouth-to-mouth contact). This could suggest that, given cetacean anatomy — particularly the adaptation of limbs to the marine environment — oral contact may serve as a more versatile means of social communication than in terrestrial mammals," Almunia said. "This behaviour appears to serve affiliative purposes and may play a role in reinforcing social bonds or resolving conflicts, akin to grooming or reconciliation behaviours in other highly social species," he added. However, we cannot be certain of what exactly drove the orcas to exhibit this behavior without further research. "We can only speculate on the function and nobody can know for sure without data relating it to known social structures in the wild (in captivity the 'social structure' is completely artificial and therefore largely irrelevant for understanding social function in evolutionary terms)," said Luke Rendall, a marine mammal researcher at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. "It may be affiliative, it might be a form of begging, that is trying to stimulate food transfers, it might even be a form of grooming, somehow having a cleaning function," Rendall told Live Science. The researchers suggest in the paper that the observed tongue-nibbling could be a "trend" play behavior in the orcas, similar to positioning dead fish on their heads as hats, which was seen in one orca population. This observation of tongue-nibbling in the wild suggests that the behavior is not exclusive to captive animals and instead is found in a range of genetically distinct populations. "Observing the same behaviour in wild orcas confirms that this is a natural behaviour retained in orcas under human care. This continuity supports the idea that behavioural studies in zoological settings provide important insights into the ethology of wild populations," Almunia said. Related stories —Salmon-hat wearing orcas also give each other massages with kelp, scientists discover —'Incredible and rare' sight as endangered whale attacked by 60 orcas in brutal hunt —Grieving orca mom carries dead calf around on her head for a 2nd time However, not everyone is convinced by the argument that captive animals can give insights into natural behavior and suggest far more research is needed to understand this tongue-nibbling. "There's no quantification here — no attempt to calculate actual rates by doing the hard work of pulling together numbers such as the number of hours observed in the wild per observation of this behaviour, and the same for captivity," Rendall said. "Even if the behaviour itself is fascinating, and I think it is, we are limited on conclusions because it's just one observation, but it is telling that in their summing up these authors take great pains to try and explain how this observation justifies the activities of [orca captivity and swim-with-cetaceans programmes]. It does not, in my view."
Leader Live
22-04-2025
- Leader Live
Tripadvisor website rates Chester Zoo as UK's best facility
The accolade has been bestowed on the facility by Tripadvisor, the world's biggest travel guide platform, which uses reviews left by customers. Home to more than 30,000 animals and 550 species, the renowned zoo has topped the list of the nation's leading zoos and aquariums thanks to consistently outstanding visitor reviews. With 11,392 'excellent' ratings, the zoo's strong focus on conservation and unforgettable visitor experiences has also earned it a place among Europe's elite – with the new listings placing it as the third best zoo or aquarium across the continent. The prestigious rankings are based on millions of traveller reviews and ratings submitted to the globally influential platform. Jamie Christon, chief executive officer of Chester Zoo, paid tribute to the thousands of workers, from experts to retail workers, who he says make the zoo what it is with the animals. He said: 'We're absolutely delighted to be named the UK's top zoo. 'This recognition, based on thousands upon thousands of genuine visitor reviews, is a huge testament to our incredible team and everything they do to make Chester Zoo such a special place. 'Every visit helps support our vital conservation work, both here in the UK and around the world. 'As a charity and a national conservation zoo, it means the world to know our efforts are being so warmly received by our guests. 'It's people coming through our gates who enable us to do what we do – lead the charge to save wildlife, protect and restore habitats and safeguard ecosystems. 'Together, we're securing the long-term future of some of the world's most endangered species.' Earlier this month the zoo opened Heart of Africa – the largest UK zoo habitat ever created. MORE NEWS Home to 57 iconic African species, the new zone spans more than 17 football pitches (22.5 acres) and recreates a variety of grassland habitats found across central Africa. It's among the most ambitious zoo expansions ever undertaken in Europe. It comes ahead of the unveiling of another exciting new development at the zoo this summer. The Reserve, Chester Zoo's answer to a premium safari getaway right here in the UK, will feature 51 luxury African-themed lodges, offering guests the chance to stay overnight at the zoo in support of conservation for the very first time. Chester was only beaten to top spot in Europe by Spain's Loro Parque and Oceanario de Lisboa, in Portugal. It beat the world-famous London Zoo into seventh place while Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World, in Telford was second in the UK and sixth in Europe.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'They don't belong in the Med': Future of homeless orcas still uncertain
The uncertain future of two killer whales is no closer to being resolved despite the closure of their marine zoo home two months ago. Wikie, 23, and her 11-year-old son Keijo are still being kept at Marineland Antibes, located in southern France, after it closed in January due to a forthcoming law banning the use of orcas in shows. For months managers at Marineland have tried to send the killer whales to other marine zoos but this has angered animal rights campaigners who want them housed in a sanctuary, where the orcas won't have to perform or be used for breeding. The orcas were expected to go to another marine zoo in Spain when the French government rejected a move to a proposed sanctuary in Canada a few weeks ago. But now Agnès Pannier-Runacher, the French ecology minister, said she would speak to colleagues in Spain, Italy and Greece about creating a different sanctuary together. However, her proposal has few other details and has been criticised. 'Humans are all they know' - Fate of whales uncertain as marine zoo shuts France bans captive breeding of dolphins The ecology ministry, when asked by the BBC, had no further information on where a sanctuary might be located or who would fund its construction and running costs. Loro Parque, a marine zoo in Spain that wants to receive the killer whales from Marineland, told the BBC this week the current proposal was "wholly unsuitable" and that they were best positioned to care for them. Christoph Kiessling, vice-president of the facility in Tenerife, said whale sanctuaries were "currently unable to meet the complex physiological, social and environmental needs" of killer whales. Most designs involve cordoning off a bay and employing staff to ensure Wikie and Keijo - who were born in captivity and cannot be released into the wild - were properly fed and looked after. Kiessling did say such a solution might be possible if there was more extensive research and planning but "such a process could take years, leaving the two Marineland [orcas] in a facility that is being wound down". Campaigners point out that several orcas have died at Loro Parque in the last few years, including three between March 2021 and September 2022. Managers at the marine zoo said scientific examination of those orcas by the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria showed the deaths were unavoidable. They also fear Wikie might be used for breeding. Loro Parque announced in January that Morgan, the only female of the three orcas currently kept there, is pregnant. Katheryn Wise, from the charity World Animal Protection, said Loro Parque was ultimately an entertainment business that used orcas to make money. She added: "Morgan's pregnancy underlines the fact that Loro Parque could never be a suitable option for Wikie and Keijo and should be removed as an option." Marineland, who are still paying to look after the orcas, said a move to Loro Parque as soon as possible was in the best interests of the animals' welfare. They have asked the ecology ministry to approve the transfer. The whale sanctuary in Canada applied to the French government to take in the orcas last year but their bid was rejected in January. They were told the site they had selected in Nova Scotia was too far away and that the water there was too cold for Wikie and Keijo, who have spent their whole lives in southern France. Following Pannier-Runacher's proposal for a sanctuary in Europe, which she announced a fortnight ago in a video on Instagram, the directors of the rejected Canadian project criticised the idea of one being built in the Mediterranean. They wrote a letter to her in which they cited Dr David Perpiñán, a diplomate at the European College of Zoological Medicine, who said: "Wikie and Keijo's origin is Iceland. These two orcas do not belong to the ecotypes seen in the Mediterranean." He added: "The possibility of building a sanctuary for them in the Mediterranean is probably the worst of the possible options." The directors also said, unlike the European proposal, their sanctuary was ready to begin construction as the design had already been finalised. Other animal rights groups have been more welcoming of Pannier-Runacher's announcement, saying a European sanctuary would still be better for the orcas' welfare than life in another marine zoo. Sea Shepherd, a marine conservation society, replied to the minister on Instagram saying this was a chance to achieve what the zoo industry calls "impossible" - the building of an ocean sanctuary where captive orcas can enjoy the rest of their lives. Pannier-Runacher said in her video she was keenly aware of the strong feelings people had about where Wikie and Keijo should be rehomed. She did not rule out sending them to Loro Parque or other marine zoos, only that she would "oppose any transfer to a site that is not suitable for accommodating" orcas. Last November she blocked an application by Marineland to send the killer whales to a marine zoo in Japan, citing lower animal welfare regulations in the country. The 'Year of the Sea' is currently underway in France, a government initiative to raise awareness about the importance of the ocean, and Pannier-Runacher believes the creation of a European whale sanctuary would be a fitting testament to it. "I'm not telling you that it will work," she told Instagram users. "But nothing ventured, nothing gained." 'Humans are all they know' - Fate of whales uncertain as marine zoo shuts The killer whale that can 'speak' France bans captive breeding of dolphins
