A growing body of research is pointing to the critical, but unappreciated, role that older animals play in ensuring the survival of wildlife populations. Conservationists say the new findings should lead to policies that protect these elders and the essential knowledge they impart.
I’m glad they mentioned big old fat fertile female fish (BOFFFFs). After learning about them, I’ve found fishermen holding up massive fish a tad upsetting. They’re basically natural immortals, which is an extremely useful resource if you’re interested in biological immortality. Doubly so for whales and other mammalian fishes.