Peak District Mountain Hares
The Peak District Mountain Hare is one of the most iconic mammals we have in the Uplands of England. Surrounded in many places by driven grouse moors, they are in need of protection. This special mammal has been present in Britain for a long time and were native to the Peak District but sadly died out around 6,000 years ago.
The current population in the Peak District is descended from reintroductions in the 1870s. Since then there has been a small population, estimated to be between 1,500 and 5000 in number.
There are indications though that these numbers are much lower. It is the only population of this mammal in the whole of England.
The biggest population is in Scotland, thought to be around 132,000. As of the 1st March 2021 they became protected under the Animals and Wildlife Act 2020 in Scotland.
Leaving this fragile and fragmented population in the Peak District at greater risk of becoming extinct due to climate change and being culled and killed by driven grouse moor gamekeepers.
The Hare Preservation Trust is urging the Government to introduce legislation to provide the equivalent level of protection for Mountain Hares in the Peak District in England.
I’ve written about the issues in the Peak District and its wildlife for nearly as long as my blog has been going. The first entry on my blog was in October 2009 giving you some ideal of how long I’ve personally tried to bring an awareness of the issues the wildlife face in the Peak District.
Emptying our Uplands and the Glorious Twelve being just two of many posts I’ve written on my blog covering these issues. I’m extremely passionate about all wildlife but more so our wildlife here in Britain. I’ve spoken about the issues at talks and at the BAWC Wildlife crime conference back in 2016.
If you are a UK resident please sign and share the petition to help get the same level of protection for the Mountain Hares in the Peak District as the Mountain Hares in Scotland.
This would mean alot to me and many others that are fighting to keep this very fragile population from going extinct on our watch.
Please click here to sign this petition, many thanks.
David Brown said:
I urge everyone to sign this petition. It is disgraceful and unacceptable that the mountain hares in the Peak District, who are now so few in number, should not be afforded the same level of protection in law as those in Scotland. This needs to be remedied and as quickly as possible to save these beautiful creatures.
craig said:
I totally agree with you David, thank you for your comment.
Karen Fry said:
Having got protection for this beautiful species in Scotland I am dismayed that we do not have this in England … particularly around where I live – The Peak District.
There is nothing quite so magnificent as seeing a wild hare in it’s natural habitat. Something I want to continue ….
craig said:
All Mountain Hares should have been protected.This most fragile of populations in the Peak District is at real risk to becoming extinct before anyone really becomes aware of them. Splitting up Scotland’s hares and England’s was a massive mistake and one I shake my head at also Karen. They are iconic and belong in the uplands of the Peak District. I will carry on trying to highlight their cause with my photos and blogs. Thank you for signing the petition and your comment.
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