The biggest uncontrolled animal problem in the open dryer country of the South Island is Hares. Hares do an incredible amount of damage to regeneration, nipping off seedlings at ground level and smaller trees about 250 mm above the ground. In any discussion regarding wild animal numbers and population limits hares need to be included. Much high country in Canterbury was burnt in the early days for sheep grazing and now it is retired. Where there are populations of Hares the regen is very slow. My 2c
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