Discovery of How Baleen Whales Produce Sound Sheds Light on Communication Challenges

A groundbreaking study reveals the unique laryngeal structures of baleen whales, essential for their long-distance communication, yet highlights their vulnerability to human-made noise pollution.

Researchers have identified unique structures in the larynx of baleen whales that enable their distinctive low-frequency vocalizations.
The study, involving the examination of stranded whales and computational modeling, marks a significant advancement in understanding whale communication.
Baleen whales, including blue, humpback, and fin whales, rely on these sounds for migration and finding kin in the vast oceans.
Human-made noise, such as shipping traffic, poses a significant threat to the whales' ability to communicate, overlapping with their vocalization frequencies.
The study calls for strict regulations on ocean noise to protect these marine giants, emphasizing their dependence on sound for communication.

South China Morning Post