It may seem obvious, but Australian researchers say that tiger dung makes a potent repellant.

The team at the University of Queensland said on Friday that tiger poo successfully warded off wild goats for at least three days, reports Reuters.

"Goats wouldn't have seen a tiger from an evolutionary point of view for at least 15 generations but they recognize the smell of the predator," repellent creator Peter Murray said in a statement.

"If we can show this lasts weeks ... we've just tapped into probably a billion-dollar market. It's enormous," he said.

The repellant is made from fatty acids and sulphurous compounds taken from tiger feces.

The poo also kept feral pigs, kangaroos and rabbits at bay. It could potentially keep away deer, horses and cattle as well.

The government says pest animals cause about $311 million worth of agricultural damage a year in Australia.