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Bioacoustics

NOC (whale)

What is NOC (whale)? A clear definition from the bioacoustics section of our glossary, with 12 related terms and further reading.

Definition of NOC (whale)

NOC was a beluga whale who made human-like vocalizations. He was captured by Inuit hunters for the United States Navy in 1977 and lived in captivity until his death in 1999. In 1984, researchers from the National Marine Mammal Foundation discovered his unusual ability to mimic the rhythm and tone of human speech. Belugas' human-like voices had been described in the past, but NOC's voice was the first to have been recorded.

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What is NOC (whale)?

NOC was a beluga whale who made human-like vocalizations. He was captured by Inuit hunters for the United States Navy in 1977 and lived in captivity until his death in 1999.

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