Minister welcomes Irish Hare survey findings

The results of the 2009 Northern Ireland Irish hare survey have shown that there are approximately 27,400 hares in Northern Ireland.

The survey, which has been undertaken annually since 2004 by scientists from Queen’s University, estimated a density of just under two hares per square kilometre across Northern Ireland. The survey has also shown that there has been no significant change in the hare population here since 2008.

Welcoming the findings Environment Minister Edwin Poots said: “Queen’s University has done an excellent job in providing scientific population estimates which will be used as the basis for future decisions about protection for the Irish hare. This is a species which farmers enjoy seeing in their fields, and I hope that actions being taken now will mean that in the future it will once more become a common sight in Northern Ireland’s grasslands.

“Recent research into the uniqueness of the Irish hare suggests that it is a distinct species, found only in the island of Ireland, which reaffirms the significance of the animal as an important component of our local biodiversity. I am therefore pleased that the conservation mechanisms that we have put in place are bearing fruit.”

The annual surveys are due to finish in 2010, at which point, final statistical analysis will be undertaken at Queens University to conclude if the population is increasing, decreasing, or relatively stable.

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