As It Happens6:50How does a male orca stay out of trouble? With a lot of help from mom
What do female orcas do when they’re finished having babies? Protect their adult sons from ill-advised fights, for one.
A new study has found that male southern resident killer whales are less likely to get scraped up by other whales when they have their post-menopausal mothers by their sides.
“This indicates that these post-menopause mothers are directing social support and protective behaviour towards their male offspring, and helping them avoid potentially dangerous interactions with other whales,” lead researcher Charli Grimes told As It Happens guest
