➡ Stranded archives can reliably calibrate epigenetic clocks 🔬

This opens exciting new pathways for population modelling, health assessments & long-term conservation.

#Dolphins #MarineScience #Epigenetics #AgeEstimation #Cetaceans #Conservation #StrandingResearch #MAVELab

Key findings:

• Accurate age estimates for dolphins ≤16 yrs

• Older 👵🏼 animals tend to be underestimated

• Dental 🦷 ageing error & decomposition? No detectable impact ❌

Some OOH animals might be pioneers — testing new territory and potentially adapting to shifting environments. Should we rethink how we include them in conservation policy? 🧠🌍 #ClimateChange #Biodiversity

Managing OOH cases isn't just about the animals — it's also about public safety, ethical decision-making, and learning from rewilding and human-wildlife conflict. Education and communication are vital. #SciencePolicy #Conservation

What is an out of habitat (OOH) marine mammal? Think: a walrus on a French beach or a dolphin 🐬 in a freshwater river. Our paper sets out a definition, key drivers (like climate change & prey shifts), and what to do when they show up. #WildlifeConservation

Katharina Peter, working on Marine mammal ecology 🐬🐳🐋🦭

Thank you Michelle!!!!!