THE ULSTER Wildlife Trust has warned that the Irish hare could face extinction unless action is taken to check the spread of an invader from Europe.
The trust said new research showed that thousands of European hares - known locally as the brown hare - were now present in mid-Ulster and west Tyrone.
Dr Neil Reid of Queen's University Belfast, who carried out the study, said that when the European species had been introduced into other countries - such as Sweden - it generally out-competed and interbred with native hares causing their extinction.
"Our concern is that if the current situation is left unchecked, in 25 years' time we could be talking about the European and Irish hares, rather than grey and red squirrels," he said.
The European hare was introduced to Ireland during the late 19th century for the purposes of hare coursing.
The Irish hare is classified as a sub-species of the mountain hare common across northern Europe.However, QUB research has revealed that the Irish hare is distinct from its relatives, having been isolated for 30,000 years. A proposed reclassification would make it Ireland's only endemic mammal.
While the numbers of the alien invader are still small compared to the native Irish hare, in some areas they make up the majority of the population.
Andrew Upton, director of nature conservation at the Ulster Wildlife Trust, said: "The trust is taking this situation very seriously and has recently established a European hare sub-group on which a panel of experts sit to provide advice to government on the best action to take in order to safeguard the future of our unique Irish hare." - (PA)