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HARE PRESERVATION

TRUST

Welcome to the world of
The Irish hare is unique to Ireland and is arguably our oldest surviving mammal. It has been present on the island since BEFORE the last ice age, which ended around 10,000 years ago. Revered and celebrated in Celtic lore for centuries, the numbers of these noble animals have declined dramatically in the last three decades. With little protection in law, this species remains endangered and is now locally extinct in some areas.
This site is provided by the Irish Hare Initiative as an online resource about the Irish hare and issues that affect its conservation and survival. The Irish Hare Initiative is an independent not-for-profit group working for the conservation and protection of Irish hares.

Irish hares need permanent legal protection NOW

The Wildlife order Northern Ireland is currently under review and presents the opportunity to give Irish hares in Northern Ireland permanent legal protection. Such a move will help conserve this vulnerable species and underpin wider conservation measures.      

Click here to support our campaign for legal protection for Irish hares

Irish hare numbers continue to fall

The latest Northern Ireland hare survey has now been released and can be downloaded from the NIEA website  http://www.ni-environment.gov.uk/ni_irish_hare_survey_2009.pdf

 

As expected, there has been a significant decline in the number of hares counted this year, showing a fall of around 60% on the 2007 count. This is further evidence that our Irish hare population is undergoing a continuing long term decline.

 

We appeal to both governments in Ireland to act now to give our precious hares the fullest protection in law.

This site is currently being revised. Links to other web sites can be found in our

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