Wildlife Welfare

Wild Mountain Hare Conservation Welfare

Mountain hares require conservation management that balances their welfare with grouse moor management practices. Evidence-based policy protects both individual welfare and populations.

Key Facts

Mountain hares are native to the UK uplands and are legally protected in Scotland
Culling on grouse moors to reduce tick burden is a welfare and conservation concern
Snare trapping of mountain hares causes welfare harm when not carried out to high standards
Population monitoring using standard survey methods informs sustainable management
Alternative tick control approaches could reduce the need for hare culling

Welfare Considerations

Mountain hare welfare requires policy that considers both individual animal suffering from culling and snaring, and population-level impacts. Evidence-based management policies protect both welfare and population viability.

What You Can Do

Support mountain hare conservation monitoring and research programmes
Advocate for humane culling standards when management is genuinely needed
Learn about mountain hare ecology and management debates
Support alternative tick control research that reduces hare culling pressure