Cum a descoperit omenirea că balenele cântă

In the 1950s and 1960s, scientists discovered that whale sounds form songs, exhibiting features of human language. Frank Watlington, an engineer, recorded humpback whale sounds while monitoring for submarines. His recordings led to significant research by biologists Katy and Roger Payne, who identified patterns in the sounds, defining them as songs. In 1970, they released "Songs of the Humpback Whale," which became a bestseller and raised awareness for whale conservation. This album, along with Greenpeace's activism, contributed to the passing of the Marine Mammal Protection Act in 1972 and a global moratorium on commercial whaling in 1982. Humpback whale populations have since rebounded, showcasing the impact of these efforts.