Keith A. Hobson reviews the use of stable isotope analysis to trace the origins and migration of wildlife. Traditional methods for tracking animal movements rely on extrinsic markers, which are often ineffective for small or non-game animals. In contrast, intrinsic markers such as fatty acid profiles, DNA analysis, and stable isotope measurements in animal tissues offer alternative approaches. Stable isotope analysis, particularly of δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, δ³⁴S, δD, and δ⁸⁷Sr, can trace nutritional origin and migration by reflecting food web isotopic signatures in animal tissues. These signatures vary spatially due to biogeochemical processes, allowing the identification of previous feeding locations. This technique has been used to distinguish between inshore and offshore, marine and freshwater, and C3 versus C4 or Crassulacean acid metabolism food webs. Stable hydrogen isotope analysis (δD) has been used to link organisms to broad geographic origins in North America based on isotopic contours of precipitation. This method, combined with other stable isotopes, is useful for tracking migration and movement of various animals. Future research should focus on refining understanding of natural and anthropogenic-induced isotopic gradients and exploring other elements. The paper highlights the potential of stable isotope analysis in wildlife studies, offering a non-invasive method to trace origins and migration patterns. It also discusses the importance of choosing appropriate tissues for temporal records of past feeding. Isotopic patterns in nature allow tracing of animal diets, with marine food webs more enriched in certain elements compared to terrestrial or freshwater systems. Sulfur isotopes help distinguish between benthic and pelagic food webs. In terrestrial systems, carbon isotopes differentiate between C3 and C4 plants. Anthropogenic sources with distinct isotopic signatures also aid in tracing feeding origins. This review emphasizes the value of stable isotope analysis in wildlife ecology and conservation.Keith A. Hobson reviews the use of stable isotope analysis to trace the origins and migration of wildlife. Traditional methods for tracking animal movements rely on extrinsic markers, which are often ineffective for small or non-game animals. In contrast, intrinsic markers such as fatty acid profiles, DNA analysis, and stable isotope measurements in animal tissues offer alternative approaches. Stable isotope analysis, particularly of δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, δ³⁴S, δD, and δ⁸⁷Sr, can trace nutritional origin and migration by reflecting food web isotopic signatures in animal tissues. These signatures vary spatially due to biogeochemical processes, allowing the identification of previous feeding locations. This technique has been used to distinguish between inshore and offshore, marine and freshwater, and C3 versus C4 or Crassulacean acid metabolism food webs. Stable hydrogen isotope analysis (δD) has been used to link organisms to broad geographic origins in North America based on isotopic contours of precipitation. This method, combined with other stable isotopes, is useful for tracking migration and movement of various animals. Future research should focus on refining understanding of natural and anthropogenic-induced isotopic gradients and exploring other elements. The paper highlights the potential of stable isotope analysis in wildlife studies, offering a non-invasive method to trace origins and migration patterns. It also discusses the importance of choosing appropriate tissues for temporal records of past feeding. Isotopic patterns in nature allow tracing of animal diets, with marine food webs more enriched in certain elements compared to terrestrial or freshwater systems. Sulfur isotopes help distinguish between benthic and pelagic food webs. In terrestrial systems, carbon isotopes differentiate between C3 and C4 plants. Anthropogenic sources with distinct isotopic signatures also aid in tracing feeding origins. This review emphasizes the value of stable isotope analysis in wildlife ecology and conservation.