A short article in the journal "Current Biology" reports how a young beluga whale learned to spontaneously mimic vocal sounds comparable to human speech. It should be noted that these observations were made in the 1970 and it was only recently decided to publish them. One popular media account comes from the National Geographic Society's website; see: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/10/121022-whales-voices-science-animals-humans-marine-mammals/
The original research in "Current Biology" can be read here: http://download.cell.com/current-biology/pdf/PIIS0960982212010093.pdf?intermediate=true And supplemental info can be found here: http://download.cell.com/current-biology/mmcs/journals/0960-9822/PIIS0960982212010093.mmc1.pdf And here's an mp3 file containing some of the vocalizations: http://download.cell.com/current-biology/mmcs/journals/0960-9822/PIIS0960982212010093.mmc2.mp3 -Mike Palij New York University [email protected] P.S. Anyone know where the statement in the Subject line comes from? --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=21249 or send a blank email to leave-21249-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
