Welsh water vole poop glitters after 12 captive voles devour purple glitter apples, letting researchers pinpoint hidden habitats across Wales. Conservationists, hunting for iridescent droppings, now use this whimsical tracking method to distinguish these shy rodents from common rats. One scientist called the results “unexpectedly fabulous.”

Tracking elusive Welsh water voles is tricky, but purple glitter apples changed the game. Early experiments show 7 researchers can now spot habitats by sparkling scat. This innovative conservation approach could outshine old tagging techniques—if wild voles eat the glitter before rival species do. The effect: tracking with accidental glam.

The first test produced sparkly purple poop within hours, making water voles easier to track than ever before—no radio collars required.