Greater Horseshoe Bat Welfare: Rare Bats in South-West England

Greater horseshoe bats are among the UK's rarest bats, restricted to south-west England and Wales. Their welfare depends on traditional farming landscapes and warm maternity roosts.

Key Facts

Only around 6,500 greater horseshoe bats survive in the UK
They require large, warm buildings for maternity roosts - typically old barns and houses
Greater horseshoe bats are highly sensitive to any disturbance of maternity roosts
They hunt low over ungrazed grassland and woodland for large beetles and moths
Road mortality is significant as they fly low and are struck by vehicles
Their populations collapsed in the 20th century due to roost disturbance and insecticide use

Welfare Considerations

Greater horseshoe bat welfare is critically dependent on the maintenance of warm, undisturbed maternity roosts in old buildings and on the availability of traditional farming landscapes with abundant large insects. Roost temperatures must reach sufficient levels for pups to develop - cool summers reduce pup survival rates. Any disturbance during the maternity season, even well-intentioned visits, can cause pup abandonment and death. Road mortality from low flight paths is a specific welfare concern on roads crossing between roost sites and foraging areas.

What You Can Do

Support the Bat Conservation Trust greater horseshoe bat recovery programme
Donate to roost management schemes providing thermal improvement for maternity sites
Advocate for wildlife crossing infrastructure on roads between roost and foraging sites
Report greater horseshoe bat roosts to BCT for monitoring
Never disturb maternity bat roosts in buildings - it is a criminal offence