Preserving genetic diversity is crucial for maintaining a healthy population size in endangered species, and must be considered when devising both ex-situ and in-situ conservation strategies. Currently, I am surveying the genetic diversity and population structure of the endangered Japanese golden eagle by analyzing mainly noninvasive samples such as feathers and pellets. I gained interest in genetics/genomics, because it is a tool that can address various ecological and evolutionary questions, and can be directly applied towards conservation.