Wildlife

Wild Hare Brown Hare Habitat and Welfare

Brown hares are open-country mammals declining across the UK due to agricultural change, with welfare implications of population pressure.

Key Facts

Brown hare populations have declined by around 80% in the UK since the 1960s
Hares do not burrow but rely on forms in vegetation for shelter
Leverets (young hares) are born fully furred and left alone by the mother for protection
Coursing with dogs was banned in England and Wales in 2004 under the Hunting Act

Welfare Considerations

Brown hare welfare is threatened by predation pressure in intensive agricultural landscapes lacking cover, illegal coursing, and disease. Hares injured in coursing events suffer severe trauma before death. Habitat restoration through agri-environment schemes helps wild populations.

What You Can Do

Support agri-environment schemes that provide hare cover and foraging habitat
Report suspected hare coursing to police immediately
Avoid disturbing leverets even though they appear abandoned