This study aimed to investigate the effect of the removal of grazing livestock from the Forest of Dean by slaughter to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in spring 2001 on the summer and winter diet of greater horseshoe bats occupying the maternity roost at Dean Hall and hibernating in the Forest of Dean, in comparison with those at Woodchester Mansion, where no slaughter took place. It also aimed to; investigate the effect of the slaughter on population parameters from the two maternity sites; investigate the effect of the slaughter on the growth of juvenile bats born at the two maternity sites; and, to make recommendations for measures within the FMD affected regions to maintain favourable levels of insect dung fauna to sustain bat populations over the long term.
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