IntroductionThe Italian hare (Lepus corsicanus) is an endemic species of the Italian peninsula and Sicily, genetically and morphologically distinct from the European hare (Lepus europaeus), originated in the mediterranean glacial refugia areas during the glaciations (Pierpaoli et al., 1999; Riga et al., 2001; Randi et al., 2007). The historical distribution range of the Italian hare, until 1930, included the Isle of Corsica, where it was introduced in the XIV century, central and southern Italy, up to the isle of Elba, and the Isle of Sicily. Currently, the northen boundary of the distribution range includes the Monte Amiata (Grosseto), the provinces of Terni and Aquila, in the National Park of Abruzzo (Trocchi & Riga, 2001); it is spread troughout Lazio (Angelici & Luiselli, 2001), Molise, Puglia (Trocchi & Riga, 2001) and on the Ionian Coast (Angelici & Luiselli, 2001). In Sicily, the Italian hare seems to be the only wild Leporidae on the island, despite the introduction of the European hare for hunting purposes (Lo Valvo et al., 1997). Genetic analysis showed that the italian population is divided in to three haplotypes, according to the geographic distribution: one for Sicily, one for southern Italy and one for central Italy (Pierpaoli et al., 1999).Thank to the project for the conservation of the Italian hare, funded by Italian enviromental Ministry , a reintroduction project was started on the Isle of Elba, within the territory of the National Park of the Tuscan Archipelago, where the species became extinct at the at the end of the XIX century. The reintroduction of thr Italian hare in suitable areas is one of the priority actions of the National Action Plan for the Conservation of Lepus corsicanus, this last one is drawn up with the purpose to define the steps to promote the conservation of the species, to enhance information about the current status and ecology of this species of high conservation value, even suggesting normative adaptations (Trocchi & Riga, 2001). The project is focused to achieve the goals 3.3 and 3.7 of the Action Plan, with a reintroduction program aimed to create a wild population within the historical range of the Italian hare and carry out a pivotal trial on survival and dispersal of released subjects. The project involves the collaboration between the National Park of the Tuscan Archipelago, the Italian National Institute for Enviromental Protection and Research (ISPRA), the State Forestry Corp and the Studio Agrofauna.

Reintroduction period and choice of study areas The project develops over two years and distinct reintroduction areas have been identified, one for each year: spring 2015 on Monte Calamita and spring 2016 on Monte Perone; both characterized by a mediterranean environment.

Coming home: reintroduction of Italian hares (Lepus corsicanus) in the Isle of Elba

D. Scarselli1, G. Vecchio1, F. Oliviero1, A. Riccetti1, R. Petrini1, M. Gasperini1, C. Mencarelli2, F. Giannini4, F. Riga5

1) Studio Agrofauna, Wildlife managment and research, Livorno, Italy. E-mail: info@agrofauna.it2) Veterinary Science Department, Pisa University, Pisa, Italy. E-mail: c.mencarelli@hotmail.it4) National Park of the Tuscan Archipelago, Portoferraio, Italy. E-mail:giannini@islepark.it5) ISPRA, Italian National Institute for Enviromental Protection and Research, Roma, Italy. E-mail: francesco.riga@isprambiente.it

Monitoring activityThe project foresees a daily radiotracking activity for the first thirty days after the release, hereinafter it is performed weekly. For the radiotracking activity a Yagi-Uda directional antenna and a Yaesu FT 817 receiver were used. During monitoring informations such as date, time, weather conditions, animal sighting, environment and eventual remarks were collected. Died subjects were retrieved and a first evaluation of the cause of death was made before sending the carcass to “Istituto Zooprofilattico” (IZS) for a more detailed assessment.The radiotracking activity was supported by camera trapping (6504 monitoring hours in the first month during the two years of activity), by using 6 Scout Guard SG560K and 4 Boskon Guard-520 camera traps.Additionally 3 spotlight censuses were performed in the chosen areas, over a total line of 12,7 Km.

ResultsThe difference between the survival curves of the subjects released at Monte Perone and originating from the two breeding centers (Bieri and Marturanum) was statistically not significant: Log-rank test, χ2[1] = 3, p <0.05, whereas the related analysis concerning the difference between reintroduction areas (Monte Calmita and Monte Perone) resulted significant: Log-rank test, χ2[1] = 27.1 p <0.01.Thirty days after release, mortality in hares released in March 2015 at Monte Calamita was significantly higher, where 40% of the subjects died. On Monte Perone, instead, only 15% of the hares died.

Through the spotlight census it has been possible to observe Italic hares fitted with tracking collars and even individuals released without. With the camera traps we could observe the released subjects during feeding and socializing activities. Camera trapping also allowed to photograph and film other species as Mouflon (Ovis aries musimon), Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), European pine marten (Martes martes), Domestic cat (Felis catus), Black rat (Rattus rattus), European hedgehog (Erinaceus auropaues), Dog (Canis familiaris), Wild boar (Sus scrofa) and even tourists during hiking and cycling.

The European Hare, released on the territory for hunting purposes, has been sighted, with the monitoring methods described above, only on Monte Calamita.

AnalysisThe survival curves of the hares, related to the 30 days after release, were compared using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test (Petrini, 1995). At first the survival curves concerning the subjects originating from the two different breeding centres (Bieri and Marturanum) (see graphic a), released at Monte Perone, were compared. Given that no statistical difference was noticed, the survival curves, related to the subjects released within the two reintroduction areas (Perone and Calamita) (see graphic b), were compared.

ConclusionsThe analysis shows that the survival of the subjects seems to be influenced by variables related to the reintroduction area and not to the breeding center. The camera trap data analisys showed, in the area affected by a higher mortality (Monte Calamita), a greater antropic disturbance, and in both a high density of wild boars.The main cause of death appears to be due to predation, probably marten, but predation by cat and dog can't be excluded.The European hare on Monte Perone seems not to be present and consequently the interspecific competition factor.

Bibliography●Angelici F.M. & Luiselli L., 2001. Distribution and status of the Apennine hare (Lepus corsicanus) in continental Italy and Sicily. Oryx. 35(3):245-249.●Lo Valvo M., Barera A. & Seminara S., 1997. Biometria e status della Lepre appenninica (Lepus corsicanus, de Winton 1898) in Sicilia. Il Naturalista Siciliano. 21(1-2):67-74.●Petrini R., 1995. Il metodo Kaplan-Meier per l'analisi quantitativa della sopravvivenza degli animali in natura: applicazione ad uno studio sul fagiano. Supplemento alle Ricerche di Biologia della Selvaggina. Volume XXIII.●Pierpaoli M., Riga F., Trocchi V. & Randi E., 1999. Species distinction and evolutionary relationships of the Italian hare (Lepus corsicanus) as described by mitochondrial DNA sequencing. Molecular Ecology. 8 (2):1805-1817.●Randi E., Mengoni C. & Mucci N., 2007. Genetica di Lepus Corsicanus: evoluzione, speciazione ed assenza di ibridazione interspecifica. In: Conservazione di Lepus Corsicanus (De Winton, 1898) e stato delle conoscenze (a cura di De Filippo G., De Riso L., Riga F., Trocchi V. & Troisi S.R.). IGF Publishing, Napoli. 37-43.●Riga F.,. Trocchi V,. Randi E, Toso S., 2001. Morphometric differentiation between the Italian hare (Lepus corsicanus De Winton, 1898) and the European brown hare (Lepus europaeus Pallas, 1778). Journal of Zoology (London), 253: 241-252.●Trocchi V. & Riga F. (a cura di), 2001. Piano d'azione nazionale per la Lepre italica (Lepus corsicanus). Quad. Cons. Natura, 9. Min. Ambiente – Ist. Naz. Fauna Selvatica.

Feasability study● Population dynamics simulation with Vortex 9.42 software to verify the viability of the population● Swot analysis to evaluate the feasability of the project● Habitat suitability models for the Island of Elba, to evaluate the most suitable areas for the species●Monitoring program

ReintroductionThe reintroduction were carried out in the months of March and April, when the weather conditions are more confortable, in order to ensure the founder animals’ welfare.The released subjects came from ”Centro Faunistico di Bieri” (Lucca - Tuscany) and from ”Area Faunistica della Lepre italica nel Parco Regionale Marturanum” (Viterbo - Lazio). The hares (sub-adults and adults) had an average weight of 2,3 ± 0,24 Kg and at release were microchipped. A total of 39 subjects were released: 30 fitted with VHF tracking collars (average weight 31 ± 0,5 g) and 9 without tracking collars.

Releasing date Reintroduction area

Number and sex of the released subjects Origin of the released subjects

26 March 2015 Monte Calamita 5 males and 5 females fitted with VHF tracking collars and 5 males without VHF tracking

collars

Centro faunistico di Bieri

04 April 2016 Monte Perone 6 males and 4 females fitted with VHF tracking collars

Area faunistica della Lepre italica nel Parco Regionale Marturanum

18 April 2016 Monte Perone 6 males and 4 females fitted with VHF tracking collars and 4 males without VHF tracking

collars

Centro faunistico di Bieri