THE EVALUATION OF THE GREY HARE POPULATION STATUS IN THE VDU AGRICULTURAL ACADEMY SCIENCE AND EDUCATION HUNTING AREA UNITS

Abstract

Approximately 10,000 years ago, during the last Ice Age, the grey hare (Lepus europaeus) successfully adapted to living in areas where agricultural activities were taking place. Over the years, these areas changed in a way that became unfavorable for this species, and its population began to decline. The survival of the grey hare is also threatened by increased predator influence, unfavorable climate conditions, unsustainable management, and diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate the population status of grey hares in the Vytautas Magnus University Agricultural Academy (VDU AA) science and education hunting area units (HAU). The study was conducted over two hunting seasons (2023-2024 and 2024-2025) in two science and education hunting area units located in the Radviliškis and Jurbarkas districts. In these hunting area units, grey hare surveys were conducted in approximately 20% of suitable grey hare habitats using a thermal imager. During the study period, in the hunting area unit located in the Radviliškis district, up to 23 grey hares per 1000 ha of fields and shrublands were recorded, with a population density of 44 individuals. Meanwhile, in the hunting area unit located in the Jurbarkas district, up to 25 grey hares per 1000 ha of fields and shrublands were recorded, with a population density of 68 individuals. In both hunting area units, the highest number of grey hares was recorded in winter cereals.