AI has revealed a hidden lion roar that adds a new dimension to how scientists identify and monitor big cats.
The breakthrough could strengthen conservation efforts as wild lion populations continue to decline.
A recent scientific investigation has revealed that African lions produce two separate kinds of roars, not just one. This finding is expected to influence the future of wildlife monitoring and conservation work.
Researchers at the University of Exeter documented a previously unknown “intermediary roar” that occurs along with the well-known full-throated roar. Their study, published in Ecology and Evolution, is the first to apply artificial intelligence to automatically separate lion vocalizations into distinct types. The automated system achieved a 95.4% accuracy rate and reduced the influence of human interpretation, allowing for more reliable identification of individual lions.
Lead author Jonathan Growcott from the University of Exeter said: “Lion roars are not just iconic – they are unique signatures that can be used to estimate population sizes and monitor individual animals. Until now, identifying these roars has relied heavily on expert judgment, introducing potential human bias. Our new approach using AI promises more accurate and less subjective monitoring, which is crucial for conservationists working to protect dwindling lion populations.”
