Mountain hares are reservoirs for the louping ill virus transmitted by ticks, creating a conflict between their welfare and that of red grouse on managed estates, requiring carefully balanced management.
The mountain hare tick management controversy creates a genuine welfare dilemma. Individual hares culled in the name of grouse disease management experience direct welfare harm. The efficacy of culling for tick reduction is scientifically questioned. Vaccination of sheep against louping ill addresses the disease transmission route without harming hares, representing a welfare-positive management alternative.