Exeter researchers discover new lion roar in major boost for conservation
Scientists at the University of Exeter have discovered African lions produce two distinct types of roars
Last updated 21st Nov 2025
African lions have long been known for their thunderous roar but scientists have now discovered they actually produce a second, distinct type of call.
The finding could reshape how conservationists monitor and protect the species in the wild.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have identified what they’re calling an “intermediary roar,” a previously unclassified vocalisation that sits alongside the iconic deep roar.
Their study, published in Ecology and Evolution, used artificial intelligence to separate the two types of roars automatically, the first time AI has been used in this way.
The system achieved 95.4% accuracy in distinguishing roar types and individual lions, a level of precision researchers say dramatically reduces the human bias that has traditionally challenged acoustic studies.
Lead author Jonathan Growcott said the breakthrough will improve how researchers estimate population sizes and track individual lions.
He 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 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."
Lions are currently classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with wild numbers estimated between 20,000 and 25,000.
That population has fallen by half in the past 25 years.
Similar advances have been made in the vocal study of other large carnivores, including spotted hyaenas, hinting at a wider shift in how scientists use sound to understand animal behaviour.
By using advanced machine-learning tools, the Exeter team created a method that can classify roars automatically, making passive acoustic monitoring more accessible and reliable than traditional approaches like camera traps or spoor surveys.
Growcott said the research points toward a larger transformation: "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."
The project involved collaborators from the University of Exeter, Oxford’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Lion Landscapes, Frankfurt Zoological Society, Tanzania Wildlife Institute for Research, and Tanzania National Parks.
Computer scientists from Exeter and Oxford also contributed.
The work was funded by the Lion Recovery Fund, WWF Germany, the Darwin Initiative and the UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training in Environmental Intelligence.