Investigating the role of compound calls in the vocal communication of Norwegian killer whales
Investigating the role of compound calls in the vocal communication of Norwegian killer whales
Name of applicant
Olga Filatova
Title
Associate Professor
Institution
University of Southern Denmark
Amount
DKK 98,000
Year
2026
Type of grant
Field Trips / Research Stays < 100,000
Summary
Norwegian killer whales use mysterious “compound calls” made by combining calls that can also occur alone. This project will use underwater microphones, drones, and AI-assisted analysis to test whether these call combinations carry meaning, offering new insights into animal communication, the origins of language, and improved tools for monitoring and conserving marine life.