Is Communication With Whales The Beginning Of Extraterrestrial Communication?
Science/Medical/Technology
Friday 22nd, March 2024
In a groundbreaking development at the intersection of marine biology and extraterrestrial research, a team of scientists from the SETI Institute, University of California Davis, and the Alaska Whale Foundation has achieved a remarkable feat, communication with a humpback whale. This momentous encounter occurred during the team's study of humpback whale communication systems, with the aim of developing intelligence filters for the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI).
The encounter, which took place on December 12, 2023, off the coast of Mountain View, CA, involved a humpback whale named Twain. Utilising bioacoustic playback, the team played recorded humpback 'contact' calls into the sea via an underwater speaker. To their astonishment, Twain responded by approaching and circling the team's boat, engaging in what can only be described as a conversational exchange.
Dr. Brenda McCowan of U.C. Davis, the lead author of the study published in the journal Peer J., remarked, "We believe this is the first such communicative exchange between humans and humpback whales in the humpback 'language'." This interaction sheds light on the sophisticated communication abilities of humpback whales, which encompass complex social systems, tool-making behaviours, and extensive vocalisations including songs and social calls.
Dr. Fred Sharpe of the Alaska Whale Foundation highlighted the intelligence of humpback whales, stating, "Humpback whales are extremely intelligent beings with a repertoire of behaviours that demonstrate their cognitive abilities, including the creation of tools such as nets made of bubbles to catch fish."
The significance of this encounter extends beyond the realm of marine biology. Dr. Laurance Doyle of the SETI Institute emphasizsed its relevance to the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, stating, "Because of current limitations on technology, an important assumption of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence is that extraterrestrials will be interested in making contact and so target human receivers. This important assumption is certainly supported by the behavior of humpback whales."
Drawing parallels between the study of humpback whale communication and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, the Whale-SETI team aims to develop filters to analyse and interpret any extraterrestrial signals received. By studying the communicative complexity of non-human intelligences, the team hopes to enhance our understanding of potential extraterrestrial communications.
Dr. Josie Hubbard, Lisa Walker, and Jodi Frediani, coauthors of the study, bring diverse expertise to the team, including animal intelligences, humpback whale song analysis, and the photography and behaviour of humpback whales. Their collaborative efforts have contributed to a deeper understanding of interspecies communication.
Acknowledging the financial support of the Templeton Foundation Diverse Intelligences Program and the research permit obtained from NOAA/National Marine Fisheries (Permit 19703), the team expresses gratitude for the resources that have enabled this groundbreaking research.
As the scientific community celebrates this milestone in interspecies communication, the Whale-SETI team looks ahead to future research endeavours. A second paper by the team will soon explore the non-audio communicative behaviours of humpback whales, including bubble rings made in the presence of humans.
The encounter, which took place on December 12, 2023, off the coast of Mountain View, CA, involved a humpback whale named Twain. Utilising bioacoustic playback, the team played recorded humpback 'contact' calls into the sea via an underwater speaker. To their astonishment, Twain responded by approaching and circling the team's boat, engaging in what can only be described as a conversational exchange.
Dr. Brenda McCowan of U.C. Davis, the lead author of the study published in the journal Peer J., remarked, "We believe this is the first such communicative exchange between humans and humpback whales in the humpback 'language'." This interaction sheds light on the sophisticated communication abilities of humpback whales, which encompass complex social systems, tool-making behaviours, and extensive vocalisations including songs and social calls.
Dr. Fred Sharpe of the Alaska Whale Foundation highlighted the intelligence of humpback whales, stating, "Humpback whales are extremely intelligent beings with a repertoire of behaviours that demonstrate their cognitive abilities, including the creation of tools such as nets made of bubbles to catch fish."
The significance of this encounter extends beyond the realm of marine biology. Dr. Laurance Doyle of the SETI Institute emphasizsed its relevance to the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, stating, "Because of current limitations on technology, an important assumption of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence is that extraterrestrials will be interested in making contact and so target human receivers. This important assumption is certainly supported by the behavior of humpback whales."
Drawing parallels between the study of humpback whale communication and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, the Whale-SETI team aims to develop filters to analyse and interpret any extraterrestrial signals received. By studying the communicative complexity of non-human intelligences, the team hopes to enhance our understanding of potential extraterrestrial communications.
Dr. Josie Hubbard, Lisa Walker, and Jodi Frediani, coauthors of the study, bring diverse expertise to the team, including animal intelligences, humpback whale song analysis, and the photography and behaviour of humpback whales. Their collaborative efforts have contributed to a deeper understanding of interspecies communication.
Acknowledging the financial support of the Templeton Foundation Diverse Intelligences Program and the research permit obtained from NOAA/National Marine Fisheries (Permit 19703), the team expresses gratitude for the resources that have enabled this groundbreaking research.
As the scientific community celebrates this milestone in interspecies communication, the Whale-SETI team looks ahead to future research endeavours. A second paper by the team will soon explore the non-audio communicative behaviours of humpback whales, including bubble rings made in the presence of humans.
