First findings of brown hare (Lepus europaeus) reintroduction in relation to seasonal impact

Abstract

In Europe, brown hare (Lepus europaeus) populations have been declining steadily since the 1970s. Gamekeepers can help to support brown hare wild populations by releasing cage-reared hares into the wild. Survival rates of cage-reared hares has been investigated in previous studies, however, survival times in relation to seasonality, which likely plays a crucial role for the efficacy of this management strategy, has not been evaluated. Here we examine the survival duration and daytime home ranges of 22 hares released and radio-tracked during different periods of the year in East Bohemia, Czech Republic. The majority of hares (82%) died within the first six months after release, and 41% individuals died within the first 10 days. Significant differences were found in the duration of survival with respect to the release date. Hares released in the summer months (July and August) survived the longest (on average 103.2 days, SD ± 23.8) and hares released throughout all other months of the year survived for significantly shorter periods of time (on average 20.4 days, SD ± 11.5). The most likely cause of death was red fox predation (38.9%) followed by disease (coccidiosis and other health problems) (27.8%). Three hares (16.6%) were killed by automobile traffic. After six months of radiotracking, we found the average survival time of all hares released was 58 (SD ± 70.9) days. Hares in this study preferred to remain in the vicinity of the release area and the average distance from release point to the center of the home range was 471 m.

The successful reintroduction of African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) to Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique

“…Survival 4A. Survival of release generation [16,18,37,49,50] 4B. Recruitment of individuals, through raising pups to one year old [18,39,49,66,[68][69][70] 5.…”

“…Pre-release artificial bonding is a crucial indicator that enhances group cohesion [15,47], promotes alpha pair establishment [48], positively influences post-release reproduction [47], and is effective in the reintroduction phase for a new population [16,37]. Post-release survival of founders is also a key indicator [18,37,49,50], as is consecutive years of breeding of the release generation coupled with natural recruitment [37,39] (Table 1). High rates of breeding and survival and low rates of mortality and emigration underpin population growth and thus over the short-term, population size and growth rates are also important indicators of success [16,36] (Table 1).…”

Fatal toxoplasmosis in wild European brown hares ( Lepus europaeus ) in tularaemia endemic areas of the Czech Republic: Poses risk of infection for humans?

“…Another hypothesis explains that stress and environmental condition may induce acute fatal toxoplasmosis in hares (Sedlák et al., 2000). Survival of cage‐reared hares into the wild was examined in East Bohemia region, and red fox predation was proved as the most common cause of their death (Cukor et al., 2018). That is why predation pressure may also be assumed to trigger stress induced fatal toxoplasmosis in European brown hares from our study area of Southern Moravia regions.…”

“…This situation is mainly associated with the intensification of agricultural production and declines in the diversity of cultivated plants (Báldi & Farago, 2007; Edwards et al., 2000). However, predation and infectious diseases are also causing many deaths in the hare population, but probably do not influence the long‐term population decline (Cukor et al., 2018; Edwards et al., 2000).…”

“…However, predation and infectious diseases are also causing many deaths in the hare population, but probably do not influence the long-term population decline (Cukor et al, 2018;Edwards et al, 2000).…”