Wildlife

Wild Montane Hare Welfare Scotland

Mountain hares face welfare threats from illegal culling on grouse moors and climate-driven vegetation change in Scottish uplands.

Key Facts

Mountain hares turn white in winter for camouflage but warming climate means less snow
Mass culling on grouse moors is conducted to reduce tick load on grouse
Mountain hares are native to Scotland but have declined significantly on managed moors
Protection under the Wildlife and Natural Environment Act requires culling licences
Mountain hare populations are recovering on some protected estates

Welfare Considerations

Mountain hares face welfare costs from legal culling conducted to benefit grouse shooting, plus climate-driven habitat change. Licence-controlled culling should use humane methods. The welfare of a native species being culled to serve another industry merits careful regulatory oversight.

What You Can Do

Support organisations monitoring mountain hare populations in Scotland
Advocate for strong licensing conditions on mountain hare culling
Donate to wildlife conservation organisations protecting mountain hare habitat