US scientist who discovered whales can sing dies aged 88

Roger Payne has died aged 88 (Christopher Johnson/Ocean Alliance via AP)

A US scientist who spurred a worldwide environmental conservation movement with his discovery that whales could sing has died aged 88.

Roger Payne made the discovery in 1967 during a research trip to Bermuda when a Navy engineer provided him with a recording of curious underwater sounds he documented while listening for Russian submarines.