The Role of Imaging and Audio Science in Conservation

David Attenborough’s ‘Wonder of Song’ documentary focuses on the study of the evolution of bird song. However he discusses the very first recordings of Humpback calls (manipulated to x2 speed they sound a bit like birdsong) and he highlighted that at the time of these new underwater recording, humans were killing whales in their thousands and had been for centuries, almost to the brink of extinction. When the beautiful and sorrowful recordings of Humpbacks were shared with humanity in the 1960s, we heard their song and there was a sudden shift in attitude, a shift towards stopping whaling fleets, and new organisations began campaigning to end whaling. Perhaps even Paul Watson was affected and motivated by the sounds of humpacks in the first years of his campaigning?

With those first recordings, we heard humpback whales and connected with them, and felt empathy and an affinity with them. We wanted to protect them.

As we use technology to learn about nature, including using imaging and audio techniques in particular, we are able to connect to and relate to nature in a way many of us had clearly failed to do beforehand. Think about coronavirus – you know what it looks like and can therefore get a sense of scale and understanding of it because a scientist imaged it using SEM, and then digital artists expanded on those images. See here:

Humans are visual animals. Art and photography have enabled us to connect with nature in exactly the same way. I will defend the sciences of imaging and audio science because this is how much it can make a difference to the natural world, along with hugely advancing diagnoses and treatments, and scientific understanding in general. Attenborough’s films themselves are a testament to that. Wildlife photography and film is a testament to that. Imaging technology is fundamental to learning and science, and it seems also instrumental to convincing us visual humans to preserve the natural world.

Additionally, watch the documentary as it was very good!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00134jr