Wildlife

UK Brown Hare Conservation and Welfare

Brown hare populations have declined by over 75% in the UK since the 1960s, with intensive agriculture and coursing pressure among primary causes.

Key Facts

UK brown hare populations fell from an estimated 4 million to under 1 million since 1960
Hares rely on agricultural field margins and hedgerows which have decreased dramatically
Coursing with lurchers, though banned since 2004, continues illegally causing significant welfare harm
Leverets (young hares) are particularly vulnerable to agricultural machinery during cutting
Brown hares do not burrow, sheltering in depressions called forms, making them vulnerable

Welfare Considerations

Brown hares experience significant welfare harm from illegal coursing - a pursuit that causes acute fear, exhaustion, and death. Habitat loss causes chronic population-level stress through reduced resource availability. Both require active intervention to address.

What You Can Do

Report illegal coursing immediately to police via 999 in progress or 101 otherwise
Support agri-environment schemes that create hare-friendly habitats
Leave field margins and headlands uncut until after July to protect leverets
Contribute to brown hare population surveys through citizen science