Initial experimental inoculation in 1937 of wild-caught brown hares in Australia … Prized for its sporting qualities of great speed and natural caution, as well as its dark, flavoursome meat, the hare was introduced into Australia as early as 1837. The following year another hare colony was established on Phillip Island by the Acclimatisation Society of Victoria for the use in the sport 'coursing'. European Hare. Background European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) and European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are invasive pest species in Australia, with rabbits having a substantially larger environmental impact than hares. Find the perfect Brown Hare stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. Hares are solitary animals but do tend to come together while grazing as a response to predation. European Hare - Lepus europaeus The European hare is found across Europe and the Middle East and has been introduced to North America, South America, and Australia. By 1900, hares had reached the Queensland border and become a major agricultural problem in northern and western Victoria. Vu, Alan 2008, Lepus europaeus European hare, viewed 18th January 2010 at URL: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lepus_europaeus.html, Wildlife Information Network date unknown, Lepus capensis – Cape hare, viewed 23rd October 2009 at URL: http://wildlife1.wildlifeinformation.org/S/0MLagomorph/Leporidae/lepus/Lepus_capensis.html, Wildlife Information Network date unknown, Lepus europaeus - Brown hare, viewed 18th January 2010 at URL: http://wildlife1.wildlifeinformation.org/S/0MLagomorph/Leporidae/lepus/Lepus_europaeus.html. Western Australia, Australia: Department of Agriculture and Food, 1-21 pp. Unlike rabbits, hares do not shelter in warrens or burrows. If this fails rabbits will sprint for the warren or cover with the white underside of the tail showing as a visual warning to other rabbits. Rabbits typically stay above ground during the night unless disturbed. A dairy farmer in the same Colac area has increased his milk production by 300 per cent and doubled his fodder harvest over 5 years simply by tackling his rabbit problem. European hares can cause significant damage when gnawing the bark of young trees and shrubs. Read more about European rabbit management. They have the ability to mate immediately after giving birth. Food and other resources of the wild rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.). Queensland Government Department of Natural Resources and Mines 2005, A guide to pest animal management in Queensland – Vertebrate pest manual, The State Government of Queensland, Queensland, Australia. Typically emerging about 1 to 3 hours before sunset, rabbits graze and socialise on or near the warren until dusk where they move further away. The European hare , also known as the brown hare, eastern jackrabbit and eastern prairie hare, is a species of hare native to northern, central, and western Europe and western Asia. This can cause significant economic loss to land owners that have European hares on or adjacent to their land. The department recommends integrated pest management using all available control measures implemented in a coordinated manner at a landscape scale. European hares were relatively abundant and widespread throughout much of south-east Australia by 1870. 3 match are used in the risk assessment for Although European hares are not considered a major pest to agriculture, there have been times in the past where hare density has been high. Unlike rabbits hares are born above ground. Welcome to Europcar, a global leader in car, van and truck rental. European hares forage in groups and individuals can spend more time feeding knowing that other hares are being vigilant. 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