The results of the study, published Thursday in the journal Science, surprised whale researchers because they suggest the creatures can hear at much higher frequencies than expected. Scientists had never captured baleen whales and tested their hearing before because the animals are so large it could be dangerous to both the whales and researchers. Scientists know, from recordings and other observations, that baleen whales rely on hearing for social communication and that it’s important to their survival. Minke whales were a good target for audio testing because they’re the smallest baleen whale and a species whose hearing scientists don’t understand very well. He said the Minke Whale Hearing Project is on hold, but he’d like to pursue the topic further if he could secure funding.

---

Persons: ”, Dorian Houser, “, Susan Parks, —, that’s, ” Houser, ” Parks, Houser, Regina Asmutis, Silvia, ” Asmutis, Asmutis, Brandon Southall, ” Southall, Southall Organizations: Marine Mammal Foundation, Mammal, Syracuse University, Conservation, “ Locations: Norway, New York, Norwegian, Lofoten, North America