Aaranyak

Lagomorph Research and Conservation Initiative

Hispid Hare Research & Conservation Project:

Hispid Hare (Photo Credit: B. Choudhury) Pallet of Hispid Hare

Small is not only beautiful, but also very important in the context of nature and biodiversity conservation that relates to well being of all the creatures, small or big. Northeast India within the Eastern Himalaya Biodiversity Hotspot is an abode a range of highly endangered animal species of outstanding ecological importance. Unfortunately, of late, many of them have become extremely rare due to habitat loss induced by various anthropocentric activities. Ecological studies that have been so far conducted in this landscape basically remained focused on a few charismatic species, leaving aside majority of the wild fauna scientifically unexplored.

One of the most significant threatened species of this tropical landscape is tiny ‘Hispid hare’, an elusive and lesser known Lagomorphs that exclusively dwells in the grasslands dominated by the tall thatch grasses. Once thought to be extinct from the grassland of Brahmaputra River valley in the region, this ‘rare hare’ species was rediscovered in 1971 in Barnadi Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam. Hispid hare is facing threat of extinction due to habitat loss precipitated by unscientific grassland burning, overgrazing by cattle, unregulated cutting of thatch grass by the local communities, traditional hunting , flood and due to lack of information of its eco-biology.

Hispid hare now occurs only in a few remaining pockets within the Terrai grasslands in some fragmented populations in India and Nepal. Historically, this species was recorded in the tracts along the southern Himalayan foothills from Uttar Pradesh through Nepal and West Bengal to Assam, extending southwards as far as Dhaka in Bangladesh (although fossil evidence suggests a more extensive Pleistocene distribution which included central Java).

Hispid Hare Caprolagus hispidus has been recognized as a globally endangered Lagomorphs by the IUCN. It has also been listed in the schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. It is one of the only two Lagomorphs species which is listed by the CITES, the United States Endangered Species Act and the IUCN Red List.

Efforts for conservation and management of Hispid hare and its habitat run into hurdles of dearth of ecological information that is vital for formulating action plan for conservation and management. Gathering data on Hispid hare is of highest priority for its conservation. No substantial information is available about ecological role of this species to the tropical grassland eco-system. Ecology, life history, demography, predator-prey relationship, multispecies relationship, refining methods of population estimation and habitat suitability analysis for Hispid hare are the topics that should be addressed to foster effective conservation and management.

Typical habitat of Hispid Hare in Assam Habitat alteration by fringe villagers

Aaranyak has recently launched a research and conservation project to study the ecological status of Hispid hare in Manas National Park, Assam with financial support from the Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP, United Kingdom). The study has following objectives-

1. To assess the ecological status of Hispid hare in Manas National Park.

2. To identify viable population of Hispid hare, assess the survival threats and prepare distribution/habitat map using GIS techniques.

3. To organise awareness meetings for local community and training programmes for grassroots NGOs and frontline forest staff to generate consciousness about the Hispid Hare and its importance.