Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

sentinel-animal

Noun

/ˈsɛn.tɪ.nəl ˈæn.ɪ.məl/

Definition

A sentinel animal is an animal that is used to detect risks to humans by providing advance warning of hazards.

Examples

Rats are often used as sentinel animals to monitor the presence of toxins in the environment.
In this research study, we employed sentinel animals to determine the effects of pollution on biodiversity.
The use of sentinel animals in the area helped scientists track the spread of disease among wildlife populations.

Meaning

Sentinel animals serve as early warning indicators for environmental hazards or biological threats. They are often used in ecological studies and monitoring programs to assess the health of an ecosystem or the presence of pollutants or pathogens.