Wildlife

Wild Mountain Hare Culling and Welfare

Mountain hares in Scotland are legally culled on grouse moors, raising welfare and conservation concerns for this native species.

Key Facts

Mountain hares are a native UK species listed as a priority conservation species
Large-scale culls on grouse moors aim to reduce tick burdens on grouse
SNH now requires licensing for mountain hare culls following evidence of population decline
Mountain hares can be shot, snared, or driven - all with different welfare profiles
Alternative tick control methods may reduce the need for hare culling on some moors

Welfare Considerations

Mountain hares wounded rather than killed during culls suffer preventable pain. The population-level welfare concern is that culling at scale reduces numbers to the point where social stress and population vulnerability increase. Licensing requirements and non-lethal tick management alternatives are important welfare protections.

What You Can Do

Support Scottish legislation restricting mountain hare culls
Advocate for non-lethal tick management alternatives to mountain hare culling
Monitor and report illegal mountain hare culling to the police