Scientists discover new lion roar using artificial intelligence

(Web Desk) - Researchers have used artificial intelligence to identify a previously overlooked vocalisation made by African lions (Panthera leo), which will allow researchers to better tell apart individual lions.

The new AI distinguishes between lions’ full-throated roars and the newly discovered ‘intermediary roar’ with 95.4% accuracy, according to the findings of a new study published in the journal Ecology and Evolution.

“Lion roars are not just iconic – they are unique signatures that can be used to estimate population sizes and monitor individual animals,” says lead author Jonathan Growcott from the UK’s University of Exeter.

Bioacoustics, the study of the production, transmission and reception of sound in living organisms, is increasingly used in ecological research to study organisms without needing to lay eyes on them.

“Until now, identifying these roars relied heavily on expert judgment, introducing potential human bias,” says Growcott.

“Our new approach using AI promises more accurate and less subjective monitoring, which is crucial for conservationists working to protect dwindling lion populations.”

Lions are classified as vulnerable to extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, with only an estimated 20,000–25,000 individuals remaining.

The new passive method will enable more accessible and reliable acoustic monitoring compared to traditional monitoring methods, such as camera traps or surveys of tracks.

“We believe there needs to be a paradigm shift in wildlife monitoring and a large-scale change to using passive acoustic techniques. As bioacoustics improve, they’ll be vital for the effective conservation of lions and other threatened species,” Growcott adds.