Stable isotope analysis has emerged as a powerful tool for tracing the origins and migration patterns of wildlife. This technique involves measuring the ratios of stable isotopes such as δ13C, δ15N, δ34S, δD, and δ97Sr in animal tissues, which reflect the isotopic signatures of local food webs. These signatures can vary spatially due to biogeochemical processes, allowing researchers to infer the geographic regions an animal has used during its life history. For example, animals moving between isotopically distinct food webs can carry information about their previous feeding locations. This approach has been used to track animal use of different biomes, including marine versus freshwater, terrestrial C3 versus marine, and terrestrial mesic versus xeric environments. More recently, stable hydrogen isotope analyses (δD) have been used to link organisms to broad geographic origins in North America based on isotopic contours of precipitation. This technique, when combined with other stable isotopes, is highly useful for tracking migration and movement of a wide range of animals. The paper reviews the use of stable isotope analyses to trace nutritional origin and migration in animals, highlighting their potential in wildlife studies. It also discusses the limitations of traditional tracking methods, which have been biased toward larger, economically important species. Intrinsic markers such as fatty acid profiles, DNA analysis, and stable isotope measurements offer alternative approaches for tracing animal origins and movements. The paper emphasizes the importance of understanding natural and anthropogenic-induced isotopic gradients and exploring the use of stable isotopes of other elements in future research. The challenge in using stable isotope analysis is to determine if species move between isotopically distinct food webs and to choose the appropriate tissue for the desired temporal record of past feeding. The paper concludes that stable isotope analysis is a valuable tool for wildlife studies, offering insights into animal migration and origins.Stable isotope analysis has emerged as a powerful tool for tracing the origins and migration patterns of wildlife. This technique involves measuring the ratios of stable isotopes such as δ13C, δ15N, δ34S, δD, and δ97Sr in animal tissues, which reflect the isotopic signatures of local food webs. These signatures can vary spatially due to biogeochemical processes, allowing researchers to infer the geographic regions an animal has used during its life history. For example, animals moving between isotopically distinct food webs can carry information about their previous feeding locations. This approach has been used to track animal use of different biomes, including marine versus freshwater, terrestrial C3 versus marine, and terrestrial mesic versus xeric environments. More recently, stable hydrogen isotope analyses (δD) have been used to link organisms to broad geographic origins in North America based on isotopic contours of precipitation. This technique, when combined with other stable isotopes, is highly useful for tracking migration and movement of a wide range of animals. The paper reviews the use of stable isotope analyses to trace nutritional origin and migration in animals, highlighting their potential in wildlife studies. It also discusses the limitations of traditional tracking methods, which have been biased toward larger, economically important species. Intrinsic markers such as fatty acid profiles, DNA analysis, and stable isotope measurements offer alternative approaches for tracing animal origins and movements. The paper emphasizes the importance of understanding natural and anthropogenic-induced isotopic gradients and exploring the use of stable isotopes of other elements in future research. The challenge in using stable isotope analysis is to determine if species move between isotopically distinct food webs and to choose the appropriate tissue for the desired temporal record of past feeding. The paper concludes that stable isotope analysis is a valuable tool for wildlife studies, offering insights into animal migration and origins.