Irish hare may be running out of time

A DELIGHTFUL sight in the Irish countryside, seen rarely enough these days, is that of a hare bounding along ears up at great speed, especially after being surprised by human, or canine, presence.

Coursing and loss of habitat have, for long, been regarded as among the chief threats to the Irish hare, but a new danger has emerged.

Researchers at Queen’s University Belfast have issued a strong warning about the future of the Irish hare and the threat it faces from the European “brown” hare which has set up home in Mid-Ulster and west Tyrone. It is probably only a matter of time before this hare spreads around the country, just like the American grey squirrel which is a threat to the native Irish squirrel.