Culling of Scotland's mountain hares should be banned, says charity

Death rates of hares native to Highlands are not monitored and animals are widely persecuted for sport, OneKind says

Unregulated culling of Scotland's mountain hares should be banned and the species protected, according to a report that says shooting the animals for sport is inhumane and uncontrolled.

Landowners can shoot the hares without a licence from August to February and claim culls are necessary to protect game, especially red grouse, from disease.