The mountain hare (Lepus timidus) is a native UK lagomorph and the only mammal in Britain that turns white in winter. Scottish populations are the UK's primary stronghold, but mountain hares have declined significantly on grouse moors due to culling driven by tick control for red grouse management—a practice raising serious conservation and welfare concerns.
Mountain hares are high-altitude specialists, adapted to cold environments with their seasonally changing pelage (coat). They are social in winter, forming loose aggregations, and are primarily nocturnal. They feed on heather, grass, and woody shrubs. In Scotland, populations are associated with upland moorland habitats managed for red grouse shooting.
Mountain hares are culled on grouse moors because they host Ixodes ricinus ticks carrying louping-ill virus, which affects red grouse welfare and population density. Drives and shooting events kill thousands of hares annually. Welfare concerns include: non-target hits leaving wounded animals, drive methods causing panic and injury, and the scale of culling on some estates. Population surveys show dramatic declines on heavily managed moors.
Scotland provided mountain hares protected species status in 2021, ending routine culling and requiring licenses for management kills. This was a significant welfare and conservation victory. England maintains less robust protection. Licensing conditions require demonstration of need and humane methods.
Tick control through livestock treatment (reducing tick numbers on deer and sheep), vegetation management, and grouse management practices that tolerate higher tick loads offer alternatives to mass hare culling. Research on integrated tick management is ongoing.
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