Maternal care in animals (Img AI generated)
New Delhi: Maternal care plays a vital role in the survival, healthy growth, and behavioural development of offspring across various animal species, experts said during discussions at the International Society for Applied Ethology (ISAE) conference held at Gautam Buddha University.
The conference, which concluded on Friday, highlighted that in many agricultural systems, maternal care is often limited to providing newborn animals with food, warmth, and colostrum. However, scientists emphasised that the role of mothers extends far beyond basic survival needs.
Scientific studies presented during the conference showed that maternal care provides offspring with emotional security, helps them understand their surroundings, and enables them to develop social and species-specific behaviours.
Experts noted that early separation of mothers and offspring can negatively impact important developmental processes, including learning abilities, social interactions, play behaviour, and the capacity to handle challenges later in life.
Researchers explained that artificial rearing systems can help maintain the survival of young animals, but they may not fully replace the biological and behavioural benefits provided by natural maternal care.
Mother’s milk is not only a source of nutrition but also contains several important bioactive components, including hormones, growth factors, and immune-related molecules. The composition of these elements changes throughout the breastfeeding period, making it difficult to completely replicate through artificial feeding methods.
Experts stressed that while artificial methods can support animal survival, they may result in the loss of important experiences and behavioural skills developed through interaction with the mother.
Scientists at the conference highlighted the need for animal husbandry practices that focus not only on keeping animals alive but also on ensuring their overall physical, emotional, and behavioural well-being.
They said promoting natural development through improved maternal care practices can contribute to healthier animals and more sustainable agricultural systems.
