The mountain hare is the only native hare in Britain, adapted to upland habitats with white winter camouflage, yet its welfare is threatened by large-scale culling on grouse moors where it is considered a disease reservoir.
Mountain hare welfare is severely compromised by large-scale driven culls on grouse moors that may kill a significant proportion of local populations. The scientific evidence that mountain hare culling effectively reduces louping-ill virus transmission to grouse remains disputed. Climate change is reducing snow cover that activates the camouflage advantage of white winter coats, increasing predation vulnerability. The combination of culling pressure and climate-driven camouflage mismatch represents a compound welfare threat.