A ban on the killing, taking and trade of Irish hares was today extended in Northern Ireland for another five months.
Stormont Environment Minister Arlene Foster said the latest temporary ban - which comes into operation on November 1st and lasts until March 31st - was intended to protect hare numbers rather than outlaw coursing.
"My decision to extend the protection of this species is based purely on scientific evidence on the overall population of the Irish hare," the Democratic Unionist minister said.
The Irish hare is a unique species. It is slightly smaller and stockier than the brown hare, with shorter ears and an all-white tail as opposed to the underside of the tail in the brown hare. The Irish hare becomes greyer and paler in winter.
In December 2003 Northern Ireland Office minister Angela Smith introduced the temporary ban under the Game Preservation Act (NI) 1928 because of concerns about declining numbers.
PA