Understanding the epidemiology of bovine TB and potential routes of infection by elucidation of fine-scale badger behaviour and movement

Additionally, the prevalence of bTB in badgers is assessed through RTA surveying, to understand how bTB status, life-history traits and habitat may influence body condition. Results showed that badger ranging, behaviour and land usage may not necessarily be affected by badger removal during a selective cull - however, ranging and behaviour were altered for several nights following overnight trapping, resulting in increased nightly movement and a shift in circadian rhythm.

In addition, results showed that land type had a significant impact on badger behaviour and body condition, with badgers showing a foraging preference for hedgerows, and avoiding anthropogenic areas including residential housing, roads and farmyards. Across Northern Ireland, bTB prevalence in badgers was found to be 13.27%. This thesis provides further information regarding the ecology of badgers at medium-density in Ireland, which can be used to better inform biosecurity, disease management and intervention strategies. <br>