Wildlife

Brown Hare Welfare and Population Recovery

The brown hare is among Britain's most iconic wildlife species but has declined significantly and faces ongoing welfare pressures from farming, hunting, and disease.

Key Facts

Brown hare populations have declined by around 75% in the UK since the 1960s
Leveret mortality is high with many dying in the first weeks from weather and predation
Agricultural machinery kills leverets and adults during mowing and harvesting operations
Hares are legally hunted in hare coursing which was banned in Great Britain in 2004
European brown hare syndrome (EBHS) causes rapid death and affects some populations

Welfare Considerations

Leverets caught by mowing machinery suffer acute traumatic injury and death. Those that survive separation from their mothers face rapid starvation as brown hares cannot be successfully hand-reared. Hares killed in illegal coursing events suffer from dog attacks that cause severe injury. Population recovery requires both habitat management and reduction of mortality sources, with welfare benefits for both individual hares and the population.

What You Can Do

Support the Hare Preservation Trust and local wildlife groups monitoring hare populations
Advocate for pre-mowing checks including flushing livestock from fields before machinery use
Report suspected illegal hare coursing to police immediately
Support agri-environment measures creating suitable hare habitat including grassland edges
Record hare sightings in monitoring schemes to contribute to population data