Audio from the first ‘conversation’ between humans and whales has been released.
Experts from the SETI Institute and the University of California ‘spoke’ with a humpback whale called Twain off the coast of Alaska.
An underwater microphone was used to send out whale calls and the team got 36 responses that made it appear as if Twain was engaging in conversation.
AI-powered algorithms analysed the replies and revealed that Twain could have shared a greeting call with the scientists on a boat in the Pacific Ocean.
The researchers are determined to use whales to develop strategies for non-human communication.
Lead author Brenda McCowan said: “Humpbacks are very socially complex.
“They travel vast distances. They have a huge vocal repertoire. I always say that every sound ever made in the natural world the humpback makes. It’s incredible the diversity of sounds they produce.”