08 Mar 2024

Horizon scanning the application of probiotics for wildlife

Uncover the potential of probiotics to enhance the resilience of endangered wildlife and ecosystems under threat.

Bumblebees

"Horizon scanning the application of probiotics for wildlife" in Trends in Microbiology discusses the innovative use of probiotics to support the health and resilience of endangered species. The article outlines how probiotics, typically utilized in human and agricultural settings, are now being explored to bolster wildlife conservation. The review identifies challenges such as culturing suitable probiotics, risk assessment, and scaling up these interventions. It also highlights the need for stringent experimental controls and discusses alternative microbial therapies alongside probiotics to protect wildlife. This review provides a valuable roadmap for researchers and conservationists looking to integrate probiotic science into wildlife preservation strategies.