First Formal Description of Iberian Orca Sounds Published
The first formal description of some of the sounds that make up the vocal dialect of the Iberian orca—a population considered critically endangered by the IUCN—has been published in a key discovery for marine conservation. The new scientific paper has just been accepted by the Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. The study, led by Dr Javier Almunia (University of La Laguna), in collaboration with Loro Parque Fundación and CIRCE, represents a scientific milestone and opens the door to new lines of research into the communication, behaviour, and protection of this unique population.
Decades of Collaboration Yield Vital Data
For over two decades, Loro Parque Fundación has collaborated closely with CIRCE to study and protect these orcas, which have also become known in recent times for interacting with sailing boats in the Strait of Gibraltar. CIRCE is furthermore the only organisation authorised to carry out scientific research on this population in Gibraltar, which has enabled the assembly of one of the most valuable scientific datasets in the entire region. The orcas living at Loro Parque and the scientific advances they have enabled for years have contributed to this success.
A Breakthrough in Understanding Communication
Dr Javier Almunia, a professor at the University of La Laguna, emphasised that “for the first time we have been able to describe some of the sounds that form part of the vocal repertoire of the Iberian orca. These sounds, unknown until now, will allow us to better understand how they communicate and how they organise themselves socially, something essential for protecting them.”
Acoustic Buoy Reveals Biodiversity and Human Threat
The study was based on a broadband acoustic buoy, initially tested in Tenerife and deployed in May 2025 near Barbate. The technology captured clear vocalisations from Iberian orcas, sufficient to describe four distinct classes of sound—the first identified for this population. It also recorded 40 Hz calls from fin whales, associated with feeding behaviour and never before documented in the Strait, as well as sperm whale clicks and dolphin whistles, reflecting the area’s extraordinary biodiversity.
Conversely, the buoy revealed a persistent layer of human-made noise, dominated by vessels and fish finders. This constant noise forces cetaceans to communicate in a saturated acoustic environment, which could pose a threat to their survival in corridors with intense maritime traffic.
The Case for a Permanent Acoustic Observatory
One of the key messages of the work is the transformative role of next-generation passive acoustic monitoring (PAM). These tools allow for the continuous, non-invasive study of animals in complex environments like the Strait of Gibraltar, offering essential information on communication, feeding, movements, and how they respond to human pressures like maritime traffic or underwater noise.
For the study’s co-author and director of CIRCE, Renaud de Stephanis, the results of this research “strongly support the creation of a permanent acoustic monitoring observatory in the Strait, one of the planet’s busiest maritime corridors.” “Such a network would allow for the real-time detection of endangered species, improve knowledge of their habitat use, identify threats like noise, collisions, or fishing activities, and design more effective conservation measures,” Stephanis added.
Integrating Zoo-Based and Field Research
This new study reinforces the international impact of the work that Loro Parque Fundación has been developing for over 30 years, backed by advanced scientific research, collaborations, and continued funding for marine conservation projects. The research also highlights the importance of combining data obtained in zoological institutions like Loro Parque, where detailed and controlled studies are possible, with information gathered in the wild.
Only the integration of both approaches provides a complete and accurate picture of the behaviour, communication, and conservation needs of the Iberian orca, an extremely vulnerable population with just 37 individuals.
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