The experience gained over the years has established that the C.P.P.S. "Montalto" has an optimal potential of around 170-200 breeding couples (at beginning of the season) with an average of 130-160 pairs.

The Centre was established in 1987 with 10 breeding pairs. That number was raised to 37 pairs in the following year, and gradually increased over the years until 1997 when there were 156 pairs in production. Encouraged by the results of that year, with 1040 hare released, and given the availability of the orientation pens, a project for the expansion of the Centre was initiated in 1998. In October of that year, by keeping animals with the best potential for reproduction at the expense of the animals destined for the repopulation, the number of breeding pairs was increased to 288. In December of that same year, by causes as yet undetermined, an outbreak of EBHS decimated the breeding population and compromised the 1999 reproductive season. This outbreak negatively influenced the 2000 reproductive season due to the scarce availability of suitable mating candidates. In 2000, the Centre returned to 177 breeding pairs, producing 896 hare of which 818 were released and 78 kept to rebuild the breeding population for 2001.

The Centre's productivity is well-documented in an annual report prepared by the Director of the Centre.

Detailed statistics are now available for 2009.

BIRTHS

WEANED

RAISED