Irish hare in Ballyboley Forest Park

The Irish hare is a sub species of
Lepus timidus (L.) and is endemic
to Ireland. It is found in many
different habitats including
unimproved and semi-improved
pasture, expanding into adjacent
improved pasture; upland habitats
including heather dominated
heath and bogs and in coastal
habitats including dunes, coastal
strips and sea shore. They also
tend to occur on golf courses and
airfields (1,2).
Historically, the Irish hare was
widespread and common
throughout Ireland, including
Northern Ireland, though
populations are thought to have
undergone a substantial decline
in the last 10-20 years. Estimates
indicate that the present Northern
Ireland population may be as low
as 8250 (1). Population levels may
have fallen to critical levels in
some areas. There are believed to
be small populations of the
introduced brown hare Lepus
europaeus (L.) in Northern
Ireland. This species is known to
have declined throughout Europe
but there is little information on
European Lepus timidus
populations (1).