Roger Payne's PhD ’61 recordings of whale songs inspired a global movement to save the whales. Shortly before his death in June 2023, Payne wrote, "If we could communicate with animals, ask them questions and receive answers—no matter how simple those questions and answers might turn out to be—the world might soon be moved enough to at least start the process of halting our runaway destruction of life." Payne served as principal advisor to Project CETI, which is working to understand what he called WhaleSpeak, the language of whales.

September 5, 2023  |  Source: Project CETI  |  Photo credit: Project CETI