In Tanzania and Zimbabwe, researchers recently discovered a previously unknown intermediate roar of African lions. This finding was published on November 21, 2025, in the journal Ecology and Evolution, signaling a significant advancement in our understanding of lion vocalizations. The research involved deploying 50 custom-built microphones in Nyerere National Park, Tanzania, and attaching acoustic sensors to collars on five lions in Bubye Valley Conservancy, Zimbabwe, leading to the collection of 3,149 lion vocalizations. The study reveals that the intermediate roar is shorter and lower-pitched than the full-throated roar and always follows it. According to Jonathan Growcott, the lead author and doctoral student at the University of Exeter, this discovery indicates that lion communication is more complex than previously believed. The study utilized artificial intelligence to analyze the recordings, achieving over 95% accuracy in classifying lion vocalizations. This technological approach significantly reduces subjective bias that researchers might encounter when manually categorizing lion calls. Growcott emphasized the importance of this new method for establishing a more consistent understanding of lion roars, which can aid in estimating lion population sizes and understanding their behavior. The research is especially critical considering that there are about 23,000 African lions remaining in the wild, putting the species at risk of extinction according to the IUCN Red List. As researchers continue exploring lion communication, this new knowledge may play a vital role in conservation efforts.