The power of poo: why conservationists love animal scat

Key points

• Researchers in Tasmania have discovered the value of animal scat, or faeces, in conservation efforts. A wildlife team found that studying scat can reveal crucial information about species, including their diet, health, and population size.
• For instance, scat analysis helped identify a Tasmanian devil's diet, which includes unusual items like shoelaces. Additionally, scat can indicate disease presence and genetic diversity, offering insights without invasive procedures.
• Despite challenges like DNA degradation, scat remains a vital, non-invasive tool for wildlife conservation.