Species

Species	Greater horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, mammal
Habitat	SPECIES-RICH HEDGES CALCAREOUS GRASSLAND
Background and status	Nationally, the decline is said to have been about 99% over the last century, although in the last few decades a slight increase in numbers has occurred. There is now thought to be only 4000 - 6600 individuals restricted to South West England and South West Wales. There are currently 35 recognised maternity and all-year roosts and 369 hibernation sites.
Main Threats	Reductions in insect prey abundance, especially loss of old pasture due to high-intensity agricultural systems Loss, destruction and disturbance of roosting and hibernation sites. Loss of insect-rich feeding habitats and flyways, due to loss of wetlands and hedgerows and the conversion of permanent pasture to other arable.
Conservation and targets	Increase current population by 25% by 2010. Maintain all existing maternity roosts and associated hibernation sites. The greater horseshoe bat is the subject of an English Nature Species Recovery Programme, concentrating on feeding requirements. A project officer is employed in Devon to give advice to land managers, within the range of roost sites, on how to manage the land to benefit this species.

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