Latest news with #AnimalPride:Nature'sComingOutStory
The Province
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Province
5 facts about queer animal behaviour from CBC's Animal Pride
Just in time for Pride, the documentary Animal Pride: Nature's Coming Out Story looks are queer behaviour in the animal kingdom Chinstrap penguins of Antarctica play a role in the discussion of queer animal behaviour in the new CBC documentary Animal Pride: Nature's coming Out Story. Photo by Ryan Wilkes / Ryan Wilkes Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. 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. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Directed by Rio Mitchell, the documentary is now available on CBC Gem just as Pride season kicks into gear. '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. 'That moment was a wake-up call, I'd been so focused on the more familiar aspects of nature that I missed a whole world of diversity right in front of me.' Connel Bradwell, a Victoria wildlife conservationist, 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. Photo by Ryan Wilkes / Ryan Wilkes 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.' '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. '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.' Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 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. 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. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 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. 4. Homosocial behaviour strengthens bonds: Many animal species engage in same-sex social bonding, known as homosocial behaviour. These cooperative partnerships often involve sexual behaviour and play a key role in trust and group cohesion. We filmed bighorn sheep displaying this behaviour in Radium Hot Springs showing how queerness shapes complex animal societies. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Animal Pride: Nature's Coming Out Story looks at the queer behaviour in the animal kingdom and how it can shape complex animal societies. Seen here are a pair of young male bighorn sheep in Radium Hot Springs. Photo by Ryan Wilkes / Ryan Wilkes 5. There's still more to learn: Same-sex behaviour has been hidden and ignored for a long time, but it is finally being studied and understood. Many species, including penguins and orcas, require specific social structures to survive, structures that include same-sex behaviour. Understanding this diversity is crucial for better conservation. Thankfully, more scientists are now embracing and exploring this work. Read More Vancouver Canucks BC Lions News News BC Lions
Vancouver Sun
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
5 facts about queer animal behaviour from CBC's Animal Pride
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. Directed by Rio Mitchell, the documentary is now available on CBC Gem just as Pride season kicks into gear. '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. 'That moment was a wake-up call, I'd been so focused on the more familiar aspects of nature that I missed a whole world of diversity right in front of me.' Get top headlines and gossip from the world of celebrity and entertainment. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sun Spots will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 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.' '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. '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.' 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. 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. 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. 4. Homosocial behaviour strengthens bonds: Many animal species engage in same-sex social bonding, known as homosocial behaviour. These cooperative partnerships often involve sexual behaviour and play a key role in trust and group cohesion. We filmed bighorn sheep displaying this behaviour in Radium Hot Springs showing how queerness shapes complex animal societies. 5. There's still more to learn: Same-sex behaviour has been hidden and ignored for a long time, but it is finally being studied and understood. Many species, including penguins and orcas, require specific social structures to survive, structures that include same-sex behaviour. Understanding this diversity is crucial for better conservation. Thankfully, more scientists are now embracing and exploring this work.
Calgary Herald
29-05-2025
- Science
- Calgary Herald
5 facts about queer animal behaviour from CBC's Animal Pride
Article content 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. Article content Directed by Rio Mitchell, the documentary is now available on CBC Gem just as Pride season kicks into gear. Article content '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. Article content Article content Article content Article content 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.' Article content '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. Article content '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.' Article content Article content Article content Article content 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. Article content 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. Article content 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.
