In today\u2019s episode of \u201cMatt About Town,\u201d we\u2019re highlighting an ongoing study being conducted at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, where scientists are examining otter poop\u2014in an effort to better understand how our Chesapeake ecosystem is fairing.<\/p>\n
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A new study on river otter poop shows us what we can learn from nature’s call<\/p>\n
Turns out you can learn a lot from the moment duty calls for one of the Chesapeake Bay\u2019s cutest, furriest apex predators.<\/p>\n
In today\u2019s episode of \u201cMatt About Town,\u201d we\u2019re highlighting an ongoing study being conducted at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, where scientists are examining otter poop in an effort to better understand how our Chesapeake ecosystem is fairing.<\/p>\n
You heard us right. We\u2019re getting our hands a little dirty, hiking the trails of SERC\u2019s campus, for the gross stuff (which is actually the utterly fascinating stuff!).<\/p>\n
Come along on this adventure to learn about how the study of the North American River Otter actually impacts us as humans quite a bit. Along the way, you\u2019ll see what makes this project unlike any other science experiment you\u2019ve ever seen before, and why SERC is such a uniquely perfect place for a study like this to occur.<\/p>\n
To learn more about this study, and all the projects happening at SERC, you can visit their website<\/a>.<\/p>\n And tune in next week on Monday, on WTOP\u2019s social media platforms exclusively, for the part III conclusion of our exploration at SERC, discussing how scientists actually examine the animal\/parasite DNA in these otter waste samples using state of the art lab equipment.<\/p>\n Hear \u201cMatt About Town\u201d first every Tuesday and Thursday on 103.5 FM!<\/strong><\/p>\n If you have a story idea you\u2019d like Matt to cover,\u00a0email him<\/a>\u00a0or chat with him on\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0TikTok.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Check out all \u201cMatt About Town\u201d episodes\u00a0here<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a9 2026 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.<\/p>\n