Wildlife

Wild UK Farmland Mammals Welfare

Welfare status of brown hares, hedgehogs, water voles, and other UK farmland mammals in 2026.

Key Facts

Brown hare populations are declining in most farmland areas due to agricultural intensification
Hedgehog numbers in farmland are declining faster than urban populations
Water vole populations have recovered in mink-free zones but remain fragile elsewhere
Field margins and beetle banks provide refuge habitat for multiple farmland mammal species
Agri-environment schemes supporting mammal habitat have delivered measurable recovery in some areas

Welfare Considerations

Farmland mammal welfare in 2026 is a mixed picture of continuing declines and local successes. Individual animals in intensively managed landscapes face food shortage, inadequate cover, and high mortality from machinery. Targeted habitat provision creates the conditions for farmland mammal welfare to recover.

What You Can Do

Advocate for agri-environment funding that explicitly benefits farmland mammals
Support wildlife-friendly farming campaigns that include mammal habitat requirements
Record farmland mammal sightings to contribute to population monitoring