Alison Johnston MSP for the Green Party, has proposed an amendment to section 30 (protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 for mountain hare) to give full protection for mountain hares.

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This amendment will actually worsen the conservation status of mountain hares in Scotland and will also create unintended consequences for species such as conservation listed wading birds and golden eagles.

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60 estates and their gamekeepers have been counting hares using the new night time methods tested by James Hutton Institute, GWCT and SNH scientists for two years now. This data will help to inform management decision making and this is the future of hare conservation, not full protection.

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See below our new film production from Scotland’s Regional Moorland Groups, produced by Kirk Norbury - Photographer & Filmmaker, which will give you an insight into why it is important to carry out their management.