Wildlife

Brown Hare Welfare and Conservation

Brown hares are declining across much of their UK range and face specific welfare threats from agricultural intensification and field sports.

Key Facts

Brown hare populations have declined by 80% since 1960 in the UK
Hares do not burrow and rely entirely on surface camouflage for protection
Leverets are born fully furred but are vulnerable to predation for their first weeks
Hare coursing with dogs causes extreme fear and physical injury
Agricultural operations during breeding season cause mortality of leverets

Welfare Considerations

Brown hares face welfare threats from illegal coursing with dogs, agricultural machinery causing injury, and habitat loss reducing food availability. Coursing causes acute terror and physical injury in pursued hares. Agricultural operations during spring and early summer kill leverets that are invisible in growing crops. Habitat management and field margin creation support both hare welfare and population recovery.

What You Can Do

Report suspected hare coursing to the police immediately
Support campaigns for stronger enforcement against illegal hare coursing
Advocate for field margin management that supports hare welfare and recovery
Support habitat improvement programs for brown hares
Contribute to hare survey programs to monitor population trends