First Photographic Records, Habitat Association and Evidence of Breeding of the Indian Hare (Lepus nigricollis) in Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary, Jharkhand, India.

Prosenjit Sarkar1, Shivam Thakur1, Gouri Guria1

Wildlife Researcher and Conservationist, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India.

Email- prosen0018@gmail.com, shivamlifescience05@gmail.com

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8974-9968,

https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2813-2167

Corresponding Author – Prosenjit Sarkar

Abstract

The Indian Hare (Lepus nigricollis) is common across the Indian subcontinent. However, there is limited information about where it lives, how it uses its habitat, and its breeding behaviour in many forested areas of eastern India. This study reports four field observations of the Indian Hare that were recorded between March 2025 and June 2026 in Chakulia Village, Kadamjhore and in the arena of Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary in Jharkhand, India. Six individuals were observed during four different sightings. These included solitary adults, an adult pair, and an adult with a juvenile. All observations took place in the evening, between 18:25 and 18:50 H, showing that the species is mainly active during dawn and dusk in this area. The sightings occurred in a diverse landscape with forest edges and nearby open and modified habitats. The observation of a juvenile with an adult suggests local breeding and the presence of young hares in the area. These records offer basic information about the presence and behaviour of L. nigricollis in the Dalma region. They also highlight the ecological importance of forest-edge habitats for this species. Long-term monitoring is necessary to gain a clearer understanding of its population status, habitat preferences, ecological indices, and breeding ecology in the region of Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary.

Keywords: Lepus nigricollis; Indian Hare; Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary; Jharkhand; crepuscular activity; breeding evidence; habitat association