Data from: Where's Whaledo: a software toolkit for array localization of animal vocalizations

Where’s Whaledo is a software toolkit that uses a combination of automated
processes and user interfaces to greatly accelerate the process of
reconstructing animal tracks from arrays of passive acoustic recording
devices. Passive acoustic localization is a non-invasive yet powerful way
to contribute to species conservation. By tracking animals through their
acoustic signals, important information on diving patterns, movement
behavior, habitat use, and feeding dynamics can be obtained. This method
is useful for helping to understand habitat use, observe behavioral
responses to noise, and develop potential mitigation strategies. Animal
tracking using passive acoustic localization requires an acoustic array to
detect signals of interest, associate detections on various receivers, and
estimate the most likely source location by using the time difference of
arrival (TDOA) of sounds on multiple receivers. Where’s Whaledo combines
data from two small-aperture volumetric arrays and a variable number of
individual receivers. In a case study conducted in the Tanner Basin off
Southern California, we demonstrate the effectiveness of Where’s Whaledo
in localizing groups of Ziphius cavirostris. We reconstruct the
tracks of six individual animals vocalizing concurrently and identify
Ziphius cavirostris tracks despite being obscured by a large pod of
vocalizing dolphins.