From now on, it will no longer be possible to speak of extinction as regards the so-called "European hare" (Lepus europaeus meridiei Hilzheimer), but of a found animal. The official announcement was made six days ago, Wednesday 20 April 2016, from National Park of the Tuscan Archipelago and ISPRA, protagonists of the discovery in thePianosa Island. This hare was considered extinct after repopulation with important subspecies, the recent date will become historical. The announcement, surprising to say the least, was also thanks to the volunteer hunters from different Territorial Areas of Hunting, namely those of Bologna, Livorno, Pistoia, Grosseto, Florence-Prato, Lucca, Pisa and that of Chieti-Lanciano.
All these people were invited to the islands of the archipelago with following dogs to capture the hares as part of a European Union project. Initially there was an experimental capture (last December to be precise) and ISPRA immediately realized that the animals were equipped with morphological characteristics worthy of a more in-depth genetic examination.
Then there was the sensational discovery. It seems that the introduction of the European hare took place in the inclusive period between the 1840 and the 1850: the community project was undoubtedly fundamental, otherwise such a hare population would have been forgotten. The initiative confirmed the essential contribution of hunters in the conservation of nature and the environment.