Mountain hares face growing welfare and conservation challenges as climate change reduces snow cover that their white winter coats depend on for camouflage against predators.
Mountain hares experiencing coat colour mismatch face elevated predation risk from foxes and raptors, representing a welfare cost mediated through the stress of predator encounters and the risk of non-lethal injury from attack. Hares that survive predator attacks with injuries face welfare challenges in harsh mountain environments. Culling on grouse moors causes acute welfare harm through shooting and trap-related injuries. The combination of climate-driven vulnerability and ongoing management culling creates compounding welfare and population pressures on a species already facing significant challenges.