In a groundbreaking revelation, a remarkable dolphin named Kylie has made history by speaking "porpoise" in Scotland.
This amazing event of inter-species communication has left researchers in awe and has provided valuable insights into the realm of animal language.
Kylie's relationship with harbor porpoises: a unique connection explored
Kylie, the dolphin, was found in the Firth of Clyde, a saltwater inlet on Scotland's west coast known for its harbor porpoise population.
Unfortunately, Kylie became separated from her pod, making her the lone dolphin in the Clyde. However, she found solace in the company of the harbor porpoises residing in the area.
This unique relationship intrigued David Nairn, the founder and director of Clyde Porpoise, prompting him to investigate further.
Using an underwater recording device called a hydrophone, Nairn captured audio recordings of Kylie's interactions with the porpoises between 2016 and 2018.
These recordings were then analyzed by Mel Cosentino, a PhD candidate involved in the study.
Dolphin speaks "porpoise" marking the world's first recorded instance of an animal speaking to a different species
Traditionally, dolphins communicate through whistling, while porpoises use narrow-band, high-frequency clicks.
Remarkably, Cosentino discovered that Kylie, a dolphin, was emitting clicks with similarities to those of porpoises.
These clicks had eight or more amplitude peaks at the key frequency of 130 kilohertz, which is typically associated with porpoise communication.
What's even more fascinating is that Kylie did not produce any whistles, which are commonly observed in dolphins.
Nairn stated that Kylie "totally identifies as a porpoise." Cosentino observed that the exchanges between Kylie and the porpoises resembled a rhythmic conversation, with the creatures taking turns to respond to each other.
Denise Herzing sees the dolphin's attempt as a milestone in inter-species communication.
While it is challenging to interpret the exact meaning or information conveyed in their communication since humans do not understand porpoise language, the efforts made by Kylie and the porpoises are noteworthy.
Dolphin behavior expert Denise Herzing believes it signifies an 'attempt' at communication that the porpoises likely recognize, marking a groundbreaking milestone in inter-species communication.
The findings of this study were published in a paper titled "I beg your pardon? Acoustic behavior of a wild solitary common dolphin who interacts with harbor porpoises" in 2022.
Herzing, although not directly involved in the research, expressed her excitement about the results, emphasizing that dolphins usually whistle, while porpoises do not.
This discovery sheds light on the intricate and previously underestimated interactions between species in the wild.
