We have an associate who owns a 300,000-acre ranch in southern Chile.  They raise brown hare (brown, wild rabbits) for the food industry and export the skins.

At the moment, the production is approximately 100,000 to 130,000 skins per year.  The skins have been pulled and dried.  They are ideal for the felting and spinning industry.

On the test tanning we did, a number of skins had hair slips from areas where there was too much fat.  There were also some problems with rips and tears on the skin side that were repaired (sewn) by the Chinese tannery.  These skins are fine for selling as plain skins or for use in manufacturing hats and bags.

There are 1,250 skins per bale and 80 bales for one 40' container.  This is a total of 100,000 raw skins.  The quality mix is 60% #1 skins (minimum) and 40% #2 skins.  These skins are regularly exported to the European Union.

The main part of the body measures between 16" and 18" long and is generally 7" to 8" wide.  In metric, this is 40cm to 45cm long and 17.5cm to 20cm wide.

The skins come without the head, tail, or legs.  The dried skins weigh approximately 10 kilos per 100 skins.

The price is set each fall.

The minimum order is US$5,000.   If you require samples, please be prepared to pay in advance for samples or provide your courier account number to have samples shipped at your expense.

*** SOLD OUT ***

*** NO SAMPLES AVAILABLE UNTIL OCTOBER 2011 ***

WE ARE ACCEPTING EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FOR SHIPMENTS IN LATE 2011

Genus and species:  Lepus capensis.  Wild.

Call Paul Crosby at +1.416.232.0376 or write to paul.crosby@chichesterinc.com for further information.