Wildlife Welfare

Wild Mountain Hare Conservation Welfare

Mountain hares face welfare threats from driven grouse management practices including culling.

Key Facts

Mountain hares are native to Scotland and subject to seasonal coat change from brown to white
Population culls are practiced on some grouse moors to reduce tick burden and louping ill risk
HBIC surveys have documented significant mountain hare population decline on managed grouse moors
The practice is controversial with animal welfare organizations calling for culls to be banned
SNH licensing of mountain hare culling has been introduced with debate about effectiveness

Welfare Considerations

Mountain hare welfare is caught between conflicting land management interests. Individual hares subjected to culling experience fear and death, while population declines on intensively managed moors reduce overall welfare.

What You Can Do

Support campaigns for mountain hare population protection from management culls
Advocate for licensing and monitoring of mountain hare management practices
Donate to organizations monitoring mountain hare populations