Hares under threat in Britain and Ireland

I wish to draw attention to the fact that hares are under threat in Britain and Ireland. In Britain the Brown Hare is under pressure from loss of habitat resulting from the downside of modern agriculture and the rapid ongoing expansion of towns and cities.

In Ireland the Irish Hare is threatend too by urbanisation and by agricultural methods that derpive the creature of habitat. But also by the cruel practise of live hare coursing that involves the annual capture of more than 10,000 hares in the Irish countryside for use in public baiting sessions. This practise has led to localised disappearance of hares in many parts of Ireland, apart from the well-known objection to coursing on animal welafre grounds.

The Irish Hare is now designated an endangered species by Ireland's State wildlife service, so hopefully it will soon be accorded the protection it deserves...from all forms of hunting, and from coursing and shooting.

The recent publication of Bad Hare Days, the story of Ireland's anti-coursing campaign and how it impacted on both the hares and the campaigners ourselves (I am part of the campaign)has greatly aided the public awareness effort aimed at securing a ban on cruel sports that affect the Irish Hare. The author has a website that's worth a look at www.myspace.com/banharecoursingireland

Both Britain and Ireland need to extend complete protection to the hare, not just on conservation grounds but to help eliminate the senseless cruelties that human beings have devised to make life miserable for this gentle creature.

The hare is a most valuable asset to the wildlife heritage of both countries and should, I believe, be safeguarded for future generations to admire and appreciate.