Overview

• A study conducted in Tanzania's Nyerere National Park found that leopards can be identified by their distinct 'sawing roars' with 93% accuracy.
• This is the first large-scale paired study combining camera traps and autonomous audio recordings for African carnivores, showcasing the potential of bioacoustics in conservation.
• Leopards, listed as 'vulnerable' by the IUCN, are challenging to monitor due to their solitary and nocturnal nature, making this method a significant breakthrough.
• The research highlights the potential for bioacoustics to estimate leopard populations, aiding conservation efforts and human-wildlife conflict mitigation across vast terrains.
• The study was a collaborative effort involving multiple institutions and was presented at the British Ecological Society Annual Meeting, emphasizing the role of integrated technologies in advancing ecological research.