Conservation grazing uses semi-feral or domesticated herbivores to limit encroachment in open areas and to promote
biodiversity. However, we are still unaware of its effects on wild herbivores. This study investigates the influence of herded
sheep and goats on red deer (Cervus elaphus) spatial behavior by testing three a-priori hypotheses: (i) red deer are expected
to avoid areas used by livestock, as well as adjacent areas, when livestock are present, albeit (ii) red deer increase the use of
these areas when sheep and goats are temporarily absent and (iii) there is a time-lagged disruption in red deer spatial
behavior when conservation grazing practice ends. Using GPS-telemetry data on red deer from a German heathland area, we
modelled their use of areas grazed by sheep and goats, using mixed-effect logistic regression. Additionally, we developed
seasonal resource selection functions (use-availability design) to depict habitat selection by red deer before, during, and after
conservation grazing. Red deer used areas less during conservation grazing throughout all times of the day and there was no
compensatory use during nighttime. This effect mostly persisted within 21 days after conservation grazing. Effects on habitat
selection of red deer were detectable up to 3000 meters away from the conservation grazing sites, with no signs of either
habituation or adaption. For the first time, we demonstrate that conservation grazing can affect the spatio-temporal behavior
of wild herbivores. Our findings are relevant for optimizing landscape and wildlife management when conservation grazing
is used in areas where wild herbivores are present.
