Brown Hare Welfare: Coursing, Farming Practices, and Population Recovery

The brown hare is a native British species that has declined significantly due to agricultural changes, while also facing welfare threats from illegal coursing and road mortality.

Key Facts

UK brown hare populations declined by around 75% during the 20th century
Hares are coursed illegally by dogs in organised illegal events, despite being protected by the Hare Coursing Act
Road mortality is estimated to kill over 300,000 hares annually in the UK
Hares are a Priority Species for conservation under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework
Conservation headlands, arable reversion, and set-aside benefit hare populations significantly

Welfare Considerations

Illegal coursing causes intense suffering: hares chased by lurchers over extended distances are caught and mauled, often causing severe injuries including disembowelment and limb fractures before being killed. The welfare of hares that escape coursing encounters but sustain injuries is unknown. Road mortality causes traumatic injury and death. Agricultural practices including silage cutting and pesticide use can kill hares and leverets directly during field operations. Conservation management that creates diverse arable habitats with cover and food availability benefits hare welfare by reducing nutritional stress, particularly in winter.

What You Can Do

Report any suspected illegal hare coursing to the police immediately
Support legal protection enforcement and efforts to tackle illegal coursing gangs
Back agri-environment schemes that create and maintain hare-friendly habitats
Reduce vehicle speed on rural roads where hares are active to reduce road mortality