Wildlife Welfare

Wild Hare Welfare and Coursing

Hare welfare concerns arise from coursing, hunting, agricultural intensification, and habitat loss affecting brown hare populations.

Key Facts

Brown hare populations in the UK have declined by 80% since the 1960s
Hare coursing involves releasing greyhounds to pursue live hares for entertainment
Hare coursing was banned in England and Wales under the Hunting Act 2004 but continues illegally
Agricultural changes have reduced hedgerow and grassland cover critical for hare welfare
Agroecological farming practices can restore hare habitat at the landscape scale

Welfare Considerations

Brown hares face welfare threats from both illegal persecution and habitat loss. The fear and injury caused by coursing represents acute welfare harm, while habitat loss reduces population-level welfare by constraining food, shelter, and breeding opportunity.

What You Can Do

Report suspected illegal hare coursing to police
Support agroecological farming practices that restore hare habitat
Donate to hare conservation and anti-coursing enforcement organizations