“Oink oink?” “Absolutely.”
Interaction with swine may soon be achievable as researchers claim to have created an AI instrument capable of deciphering the vocalizations of these animals.
Although it’s not exactly akin to Doctor Doolittle, the algorithm is adept at interpreting pig vocalizations and might, as per researchers, inform farmers of distress signals.
The objective is to enhance animal welfare through this technology.
The scientists from institutions in Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, France, Norway and the Czech Republic harnessed thousands of recorded pig sounds from various situations to refine the algorithm.
These situations encompass play, solitude, and competition over food, revealing that sounds such as grunts, oinks, and squeals can express both positive and negative sentiments.
“Animal emotions play a critical role in their welfare, yet we seldom quantify it on farms,” stated study co-leader Elodie Mandel-Briefer, a behavioral biologist at the University of Copenhagen.
Jeppe Have Rasmussen demonstrates the analysis of pig call spectrograms on a computer. Pic: Reuters
The investigation found that pigs raised in outdoor, free-range or organic environments, having the freedom to roam and dig in the soil, produced fewer calls associated with stress compared to those raised conventionally.
Researchers believe this framework could eventually be employed to classify farms, aiding consumers in making educated decisions.
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“Once we have perfected the tool, farmers could access an app on their mobile devices that translates the emotional expressions of their pigs,” Ms Mandel-Briefer remarked.
What do these sounds signify? Let’s examine some of the findings from the research.
• Brief grunts generally signify positive feelings
• Prolonged grunts frequently indicate discomfort
• High-pitched sounds, such as shrieks or squeals, typically suggest that the pigs are under stress
