AI Tool Identifies Dolphin Species by Regional Accents

Developed by Dr. Julie Oswald, the Rocca tool uses machine learning to analyze dolphin calls and assist conservation efforts globally.

The Real-time Odontocete Call Classification Algorithm (Rocca) can classify dolphin calls by species and adapt to regional acoustic differences.
Dolphins develop unique regional 'accents' and signature whistles, influenced by the sounds they hear from an early age.
The AI-powered tool simplifies the analysis of underwater hydrophone recordings, improving species identification and population tracking.
Rocca is being expanded to monitor other species and ecosystems, including regions like West Africa, Macaronesia, and the Mediterranean.
The tool has won the EarthRanger 2024 Conservation Technology Award for its measurable impact on marine conservation efforts.