Wildlife Welfare

Wild Hare Habitat Connectivity

Why connected habitats are vital for the welfare and survival of brown and mountain hares.

Key Facts

Habitat fragmentation isolates hare populations, increasing inbreeding and reducing resilience
Road networks are a major mortality source and barrier to hare movement
Wildlife corridors - hedgerows, field margins, and underpasses - can restore connectivity
Brown hare populations have declined by over 70% in the UK since the 1960s

Welfare Considerations

Fragmented landscapes cause chronic stress and increased mortality for hares through predation exposure, road casualties, and food insecurity. Restoring habitat connectivity directly improves individual welfare and population viability.

What You Can Do

Support agri-environment schemes that create hare-friendly field margins
Advocate for wildlife underpass provisions in new road infrastructure
Join local surveys to monitor hare populations and connectivity