The Scottish Wildlife Trust is repeating a call for a temporary ban on mass culls of mountain hares following a new assessment which has downgraded the status of the species in Scotland to unfavourable.
Sarah Robinson, our Director of Conservation, said: “This updated assessment confirms that the culling of Scotland’s iconic mountain hares is causing their numbers to decline, and that the current system is not fit for purpose. We believe there should be no more culls of mountain hares until measures are in place to help the species recover and flourish.
“The long-awaited independent review of grouse moor management practices commissioned by the Scottish Government should contain strong recommendations on how to ensure Scotland’s moorlands are sustainably managed. We hope that the Government will act swiftly on these recommendations so that future generations can enjoy the magnificent sight of hares in the uplands.”
The Trust was one of ten wildlife and conservation organisations that came together in 2015 to call for a ban on culling of mountain hares on grouse moors.
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Scottish wildlife organisations call to ban mountain hare culls