5 facts about queer animal behaviour from CBC's Animal Pride

Calgary Herald

5 days ago

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Victoria wildlife conservationist Connel Bradwell wanted to know more about queer behaviour in the animal kingdom. The result of that curiosity is the new documentary Animal Pride: Nature 's Coming Out Story.
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Directed by Rio Mitchell, the documentary is now available on CBC Gem just as Pride season kicks into gear.
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'As a gay wildlife conservationist, I've always been deeply connected to nature, but I never really encountered any information about queerness in the natural world. I've studied wildlife for years, yet it wasn't until I saw same-sex behaviour in orcas that I realized how little I knew,' Bradwell told Postmedia via email.
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Bradwell discovered that for more than a century, researchers had been documenting same-sex relationships in animals but, due to societal or culture pressure, their findings were often 'hidden, removed, or dismissed.'
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'What really struck me, though, was how this secrecy has impacted both the science itself and conservation efforts,' said Bradwell. 'Understanding the full range of animal behaviour, including queerness, is essential to protecting these species and the environments they rely on.
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'Luckily, today there are amazing scientists who are doing this work, often against the odds, and bringing these stories forward. They're trail-blazing a path for more inclusive, honest science that better reflects the natural world.'
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1. Female albatrosses raise chicks together: On islands like O'ahu, female Laysan albatross pairs form long-term bonds, some lasting decades. They mate with males to produce fertilized eggs, then return to their female partners to co-parent and raise the chicks together. Similar long-term, same-sex pairings have also been observed here in British Columbia, including among Canada geese and gulls, who nest and raise young together.
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2. Queer behaviour is found in over 1,500 species: Scientists have documented same-sex sexual behaviour in more than 1,500 animal species, from insects and birds to dolphins and primates. It is not an anomaly; it is a natural, widespread part of the animal world.
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3. Banana slugs and others challenge the gender binary: Banana slugs, found in B.C.'s forests, are hermaphrodites, possessing both male and female sex organs. They often exchange sperm mutually, and sometimes self-fertilize. Slugs aren't alone; many fish change sex mid-life, and fungi have thousands of genders, showing that nature often thrives in fluidity, not rigid roles.