Wildlife Conservation

Wild Brown Hare: Spring Welfare and Leverets

Brown hare leverets are born above ground in forms with no nest protection. Their welfare during the first weeks of life is acutely vulnerable to weather, predation and agricultural operations.

Key Facts

Leverets are born fully furred and mobile but hidden in forms rather than underground burrows
The mother visits leverets only briefly at dusk to suckle, minimising her scent presence at the form
Leverets in agricultural fields face high mortality from farming machinery during spring operations
Cold, wet springs cause leveret hypothermia and high mortality in exposed forms
Hare leverets found alone should not be touched as this increases predation risk

Welfare Considerations

Leveret welfare is exquisitely vulnerable during the first weeks of life. Agricultural machinery surveys before spring operations, and public awareness of leveret vulnerability, can prevent significant preventable deaths.

What You Can Do

Support pre-operation wildlife surveys on agricultural land during spring leveret season
Never move or touch hare leverets found in fields as human scent increases predation risk
Advocate for guidance to farmers on machinery speeds and pre-operation field walking during leveret season