Imagine being underwater and hearing a voice that sounds uncannily like a human. This is exactly what happened to a diver at the National Marine Mammal Foundation in California, who surfaced and asked, “Who told me to get out?” The researchers were stunned, as they soon discovered that the voice was coming from a nine-year-old beluga whale named NOC.
NOC’s ability to mimic human speech was a shocking discovery, as it was the first time a whale had been recorded doing so spontaneously. The whale’s strange noises were made at unusually low octaves, in quick, clipped bursts. Researchers were amazed by this phenomenon, as whales are not known for their ability to mimic human speech.
The discovery of NOC’s vocal abilities has left many people speechless. A 2012 video of the whale has resurfaced online, showing NOC making eerie attempts to speak. Viewers have been disturbed by the whale’s bizarre behavior, with many questioning what else these ocean giants are capable of.
Some have tried to explain NOC’s behavior, suggesting that the whale is only mimicking what it can hear. As whales can only hear human speech when someone is nearby, underwater, with scuba gear in their mouths, which distorts their words, it’s possible that NOC is simply imitating the sounds it has heard.
But NOC is not the only whale that has been recorded mimicking human speech. An orca recording from 2018 has also surfaced, showing the same eerie imitation of human speech. This was part of a scientific study that confirmed orcas’ ability to mimic human sounds.
Researchers have been amazed by the vocal abilities of these whales, suggesting that they are flexible vocal learners. Not only can they mimic human sounds, but they can also copy body movements. This discovery has left many people in awe of the incredible creatures that swim in our oceans.
As we continue to learn more about the amazing abilities of whales, it’s becoming increasingly important to fight for their protection and preservation. These incredible creatures deserve our respect and admiration, and it’s up to us to ensure that they continue to thrive in their natural habitats.
