All-Ireland Species Action Plan

• Main Author: Irish Hare
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2005
• Subjects: 1 Current status; Lepus timidus
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.531.6577; http://www.doeni.gov.uk/niea/txt/irishhare.pdf

1.1 The Irish hare is considered to be a sub-species of Lepus timidus (L.) and is endemic to Ireland. It is found in many different habitats including unimproved, semi-improved and improved grassland, upland habitats such as heather-dominated heaths and bogs and in coastal habitats including sand-dunes and even on the sea shore. They also tend to occur on modified grassland habitats such as golf courses and airfields (Dingerkus, 1997, Dingerkus & Montgomery, 1997) 1.2 Historically, the Irish hare was widespread and common throughout Ireland, though populations are thought to have undergone a substantial decline in the last 15-25 years. Estimates indicate that the present Northern Ireland population may be as low as 8250 (Dingerkus, 1997). Population levels may have fallen to critical levels in some areas. In the Republic, anecdotal evidence supports the impression of a decline in Irish hare populations. However, given the lack of a comprehensive survey, it is impossible to say if the level of decline in the Republic mirrors that in the North. 1.3 There are believed to be small populations of the brown hare Lepus europaeus (L.) in the northern half of Ireland, having been widely introduced throughout Ireland in the nineteenth century. This species is known to have declined throughout Europe and is the subject of a UK Species Action Plan in Great Britain. However, due to its recent introduction to Ireland, it is not regarded as a species of particular conservation importance. The impacts of brown hare populations, if any, on the endemic Irish hare are unknown. 1.4 The Irish hare is a quarry species and only enjoys limited protection under domestic legislation. In January 2004, following public consultation, the Northern Ireland Environment Minister introduced a 12 month ban on the taking, selling or killing of Irish hares under the Game Preservation Act (Northern Ireland) 1928. Lepus timidus is listed