Wildlife

Wild Hen Harrier Brood Management Welfare

The controversial brood management scheme for hen harriers in England and its welfare implications for harriers and grouse.

Key Facts

Hen harrier populations in England are critically low with fewer than 100 breeding pairs
Illegal persecution on grouse moors is considered the primary cause of low numbers
Brood management involves moving harrier eggs or chicks to captivity to reduce predation on grouse
Opponents argue the scheme legitimizes persecution and undermines recovery
Supporters argue it creates space for increased harrier numbers on managed moors

Welfare Considerations

Brood management creates direct welfare costs for individual harriers through capture stress and altered development in captivity. Whether this cost is justified by population-level benefit is contested. Ending illegal persecution would remove the need for the scheme.

What You Can Do

Support organizations calling for an end to illegal raptor persecution on grouse moors
Engage with the debate around brood management and its welfare implications
Advocate for stronger enforcement of wildlife crime legislation on grouse moors