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Wildlife
- Close
- - We protect wildlife in Britain and around the world by bringing our most threatened species back from the brink of extinction. We do this through ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Wild places
- Close
- - Some habitats contain such a richness of life that we need to protect them at all odds. We are working to preserve ancient woodlands, orchards and wood pastures and parklands, as well as the countless species they support.
What we do
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- - Everything we do is based on scientific evidence. We gather this through surveys, which you can take part in, and by awarding research grants to the most inspiring scientists worldwide. This evidence guides our conservation efforts and is shared through our events and publications.
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- - People’s Trust for Endangered Species was set up in 1977 to save our wildlife. We are governed by a board of volunteer trustees and our team of staff are passionate about protecting endangered species and places.
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- - We strive to bring our most threatened species in the UK and around the world back from the brink of extinction. Our successes come from ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
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Home // Research grants // Our UK mammal projects // Counting mountain hares in the Lammermuir hills- past project

Counting mountain hares in the Lammermuir hills- past project

Obtaining reliable numbers of mountain hares will inform debate about threats to their survival as an iconic Scottish species

The mountain hare is Britain's only indigenous hare. It is adapted to severe conditions and thrives in the Scottish highlands. Animals from there were introduced onto shooting estates in Scotland in the 19th century.

The problem

Information on population numbers is sketchy and yet populations are threatened nationally by culling on grouse moors. Reliable estimates of population numbers is an essential basis for any debate about the future status of the mountain hare as a protected species and about the effects of culling hares on grouse moors.

The solution

This project aimed to establish methods, including thermal imaging, to give reliable independent estimates of mountain hare numbers in the north-west Lammermuirs. We had agreement with the Estates we worked with to inform us of timing, number and location of culls. We assessed the short and longer term effects of culling on mountain hare numbers over a period of several years. To our knowledge, this cooperation was unique in Scotland.

We also investigated whether grouse moor management practices do indeed lead to an environment favourable to larger populations of mountain hares. This will inform the current general debate on the environmental and biodiversity implications of such practices.