Thanks to all the animal lovers who voted in the 2010 People’s Choice! Award.

The winner of the $10,000 grant, awarded to the project which received the most public votes, has been funded by public donations throughout the year.

And the winner is ...

An investigation into whether grief is measurable in animals – University of Queensland

In what will be a scientific first, researchers at the University of Queensland will investigate whether social animals experience grief when members of their group are removed. Non-invasive research will be carried out on a herd of cattle through the observation of behavioural changes and analysis of milk samples for physiological changes. Project manager and PhD candidate Jessica Walker says “the findings of this research will help us to understand the extent of grief in animals and their emotional and cognitive responses to this potentially harmful experience.” This understanding should lead to improved welfare outcomes and husbandry practices.

Jessica Walker accepting the People's Choice! award at the 2010 Voiceless Grants Awards. Photo by Sue Murray.

 The other 2010 finalists were:

Corrie the Chook – Valerie den Ouden, a rhyming children’s picture book about a hen who escapes from a battery cage to find a better life in a backyard hen house. The animal free guide – Aduki Independent Press, will bring updated information about cruelty-free food, drinks, cosmetics and suppliers to a new audience through the creation of a free pocket-sized print book, an eBook, and Android and iPhone apps; and Iron Deficient Chef, series two – SpoonCapers, series two of the popular vegan cooking show.

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