The Truer True Story of Mountain Hares

Published on January 23, 2020
Duration: 13:09

This video debunks the narrative that mountain hares are being slaughtered due to grouse moor management. It explains that mountain hares, also known as blue or snow hares, are managed for population control and animal welfare, as overpopulation can lead to disease and starvation. Management practices on grouse moors actually create beneficial habitats and food sources for hares. The video also addresses the link between mountain hares, sheep ticks, and Louping Ill, a disease affecting grouse, highlighting that managing hare populations helps control tick-borne diseases. It criticizes the use of inconsistent scientific methods in studies and advocates for proper, long-term population monitoring.

Quick Summary

Mountain hares are managed on grouse moors for population control and animal welfare, preventing overpopulation and disease. Management also helps control ticks that spread Louping Ill, a disease affecting grouse. Claims of decline are often unscientific due to counting difficulties; managed areas typically support higher hare populations than unmanaged ones.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Debunking Myths
  2. 00:32Who are Mountain Hares?
  3. 01:02Mountain Hare Biology & Characteristics
  4. 01:48Predators and Camouflage
  5. 02:19The Controversy: Persecution vs. Management
  6. 02:30Media Bias and Misinformation
  7. 03:03Critique of Scientific Studies
  8. 03:39Game Wildlife Conservation Trust vs. RSPB Methods
  9. 04:16Reasons for Hare Population Control
  10. 04:22Animal Welfare and Overpopulation
  11. 04:45Population Cycles
  12. 05:38Carrying Capacity Explained
  13. 06:10Sustainable Harvest Numbers
  14. 06:42Hares, Ticks, and Louping Ill
  15. 07:55What is Louping Ill?
  16. 08:15Anti-Hare Shooting Sentiment
  17. 08:56Hare Population Status
  18. 09:36Current Population Estimates
  19. 10:41New Counting Methods
  20. 11:19Are There Actually Hares?
  21. 11:36Managed vs. Unmanaged Ground
  22. 11:47A Call for Proper Estate Management
  23. 12:12Discussion and Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are mountain hares managed on grouse moors?

Mountain hares are managed primarily for population control to ensure animal welfare, preventing overpopulation that can lead to disease and starvation. Management also helps control tick populations that can transmit Louping Ill, a disease harmful to grouse.

What is Louping Ill and how does it relate to mountain hares?

Louping Ill is a viral disease transmitted by ticks, which can affect sheep, grouse, and humans. Mountain hares can carry ticks that spread this disease, so managing hare populations is part of a broader strategy to reduce tick-borne illnesses on grouse moors.

Are mountain hare populations declining?

Claims of mountain hare population decline are often based on unscientific guesswork due to difficulties in accurate counting. While populations naturally cycle, managed moorlands often support higher numbers than unmanaged areas due to better habitat and food availability.

How are mountain hare populations counted?

Counting mountain hares is challenging. Improved methods are being developed, such as walking 2km transects over a 400-hectare block at night. However, long-term studies are needed to establish reliable trends.

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