AI Tool Identifies Dolphin Species by Regional Accents
Developed by Dr. Julie Oswald, the Rocca tool uses machine learning to analyze dolphin calls and assist conservation efforts globally.
Overview
- The Real-time Odontocete Call Classification Algorithm (Rocca) can classify dolphin calls by species and adapt to regional acoustic differences.
- Dolphins develop unique regional 'accents' and signature whistles, influenced by the sounds they hear from an early age.
- The AI-powered tool simplifies the analysis of underwater hydrophone recordings, improving species identification and population tracking.
- Rocca is being expanded to monitor other species and ecosystems, including regions like West Africa, Macaronesia, and the Mediterranean.
- The tool has won the EarthRanger 2024 Conservation Technology Award for its measurable impact on marine conservation efforts.