Wild Hen Harrier Recovery Welfare

Hen harrier recovery in England requires elimination of illegal persecution. Understanding the welfare implications of different recovery strategies informs evidence-based advocacy for the most effective approaches.

Key Facts

England should support approximately 300 breeding pairs but fewer than 10 breed successfully annually
Illegal persecution on managed grouse moors is the primary barrier to population recovery
Licensed brood management relocates some nests from persecution-risk areas to safer sites
Natural recovery without brood management would require elimination of persecution
Each hen harrier that breeds successfully in England is a welfare and conservation success

Welfare Considerations

Hen harrier recovery in England is fundamentally a welfare crisis caused by deliberate persecution. Each persecuted individual suffers painful death while the population remains far below its ecological potential. Recovery requires eliminating persecution through stronger enforcement, land management licensing, and cultural change in the shooting industry. Any management approach that does not address the root cause of persecution cannot achieve sustained welfare and conservation recovery.

What You Can Do

Report suspected hen harrier persecution to RSPB Investigations and police
Support legal reform linking grouse moor licences to raptor persecution records
Engage with the evidence base on what management approaches are most effective for hen harrier recovery