Electronic tagging and microchipping of black swans on Melbourne's Albert Park Lake has caught frisky females getting amorous with new male birds at all hours of the night.The adulterous dalliances were logged at 11.30pm, 1.30am and even as late as 3am — while mating between long-term partners took place at random times throughout the day.
DNA testing has shown that about one in six baby swans is illegitimate. The researchers plan to repeat the experiment this year.
Am I the only one out here who feels that there might be a better usage of research money and better things researchers could be addressing themselves to? Or am I just being an elderly curmudgeon?
James,
ReplyDeleteYou are not singular in your thoughts. I think you will find that these experimenters will have some justification for spending the money as they do. Mush of it is absurd.
WM
But that is sad. They were supposed to set an example with their mating for life attitude.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Liz: there's another myth exploded. I am disappointed that swans are not on a higher moral plane than people.
ReplyDeleteThey must be the black sheep of the swan world. Australians have taken a collective moral gasp in shock.
ReplyDeleteIt'll get more interesting when we are all tagged. The missus will be writing a program that monitors who comes within 5 feet of me and sending SMS updates to her phone.
ReplyDeleteJust goes to show - everyone's at it!
ReplyDelete