Wildlife Fears Sound of Humans Most, New Study Finds
It might not come as much of a surprise to hear that humans are the most dangerous species on the planet. A new study published in the journal Current Biology on Oct. 5 also seems to support this view, as its findings reveal that most African mammals are more likely to flee from the sound of humans talking than any other sounds.
In South Africa’s Greater Kruger National Park, a research team installed speakers and cameras around 21 watering holes during the dry season. The researchers aimed to capture the spontaneous reactions of the park’s diverse mammalian inhabitants to various sounds. They played audio clips ranging from the sounds of lions roaring and dogs barking to gunshots and humans speaking calmly in four different languages of the region. To ensure the validity of their observations, the team played the sounds at the same volume and used the animals’ reaction to the sound of birds as a control.
The researchers discovered a conspicuous pattern. The mammals were nine times more likely to run at the sound of humans conversing. This reaction overshadowed their response to even the sounds of gunshots and hunting dogs. Giraffes, leopards, and warthogs, in particular, were sensitive to the sound of humans. The results of this study corroborate the conclusion of a paper from 2015, which highlighted the abnormal and unbalanced nature of the predatory practices exhibited by humans to hunt healthy and large adults over the weak and young.
Sean Jung Director
1. What does the new study published in the journal Current Biology reveal about the reaction of African mammals to different sounds, particularly human speech?
2. Where was the research conducted, and what method did the research team use to observe the mammals' reactions to various sounds?
3. What types of sounds were played to capture the reactions of the mammals, and how did the researchers ensure the validity of their observations?
1. How do you interpret the research findings that suggest African mammals are more likely to flee from the sound of human speech?
2. Considering the study's methodology, do you believe the reactions of animals to recorded sounds accurately represent their responses in natural, real-life situations?
3. The passage mentions the abnormal and unbalanced nature of human predatory practices. How does this observation resonate with broader discussions about human impact on ecosystems and biodiversity?
4. What ethical responsibilities do humans have concerning their interactions with wildlife, especially in light of the research findings?
It might not come as much of a surprise to hear that humans are the most dangerous species on the planet. A new study published in the journal Current Biology on Oct. 5 also seems to support this view, as its findings reveal that most African mammals are more likely to flee from the sound of humans talking than any other sounds.
