2023 as the Year of the Hare in Ukraine: the state of Lepus europaeus populations and valuable facts about hares as mascots

The article presents a collection of important facts about hares as objects of special attention of scientists, game experts, amateurs, and nature educators. The hare (Lepus europaeus) was the theriological symbol of the year 2023 in Ukraine. Due to the war, research and educational activities were not as high, but a certain level of activity was maintained. As a result, here are presented information blocks about the long-term dynamics of Lepus europaeus populations in Ukraine, the current results of the formation of the Ukrainian Theriological Society's photo bank in the nomination ‘hares’, as well as an information selection from the cycle ‘21 facts’, with important biological features of hares, which is valuable for dissemination of knowledge about representatives of local wild (aboriginal) fauna.