BBC Breakfast presenters Dan Walker and Louise Minchin were left in fits of giggles today as they listened to a whale being taught to mimic human speech. The hosts laughed with each other on this morning's programme as they heard how Wikie, a 16-year-old female orca has learnt to count to three. There was much amusement at the sounds of the numbers, which emerge through her blowhole as parrot-like squawks, shrill whistles or raspberries. Wikie is also said to have learnt how to say English words such as'hello' and'bye bye' and'Amy' – her trainer's name. Minchin said: 'Every time you hear it, you just can't help yourself can you?' Walker added: 'I don't know what it is about that noise, but it just does me every time.'

A killer whale has been taught to speak human words through her blowhole. Wikie, a 16-year-old female orca living in a French marine theme park, is able to copy words such as'hello', 'bye bye' and'Amy', as well as count to three. The sounds emerge as parrot-like squawks, shrill whistles or raspberries, but most are easily understandable as words. The killer whale was able to mimic the duration and pitch of human speech, coming close on three words to a'high-quality match'. Scroll down to hear Wikie'talk' Wikie (left) a 16-year-old female orca in a French marine theme park, is able to copy words such as'hello', 'bye bye' and'Amy', as well as count to three. A killer whale has been taught to speak human words through her blowhole.