Talking Dolphins

St Andrews University researchers studying in Florida have discovered that dolphins recognise each other by names. The dolphins were able to recognise themselves and other members of the same species as individuals with separate identities. Royal Society of London funded the research. The whistles of dolphins were synthesised on a computer to produce computer voice of dolphins. When it was played back to the dolphins they responded. This proved conclusively that the dolphins know each other's signature whistle instead of just the voice. It also meant that these animals have evolved the same abilities as humans. The findings are published in the latest issue of US journal the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.