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The reliability of species identification is of primary importance as much of biodiversity studies, ecology, legislation, and conservation are based on this taxonomic level. Species identification problems can obscure the conservation status, especially for rare and endangered species, which are of special concern for conservation. This problem is especially significant for some taxonomic groups such as chiropterans, as many monitoring programs are run during the hibernation season when animals should not be disturbed, hence not handled. In the present study, we used Rhinolophus mehelyi as a case study to develop and propose a new monitoring strategy via the use of non-invasive genetics to reliably identify individuals to species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]