A preliminary study on the detection of potential contaminants in the European brown hare (Lepus europaeus) by suspect and microplastics screening

•Specimens of free-ranging European brown hares from Germany and Austria as well as indoor controls were monitored for exposure to chemicals and microplastics.•In plasma, residues of polyethoxylated tallow amines and propylparaben were observed.•Polyethoxylated tallow amine exposure might be linked with intake of agrochemicals.•Microplastics were found in faeces and intestine samples from free-ranging hares and indoor control hares.•Numerous microplastic particles made of chlorinated polyethylene were detected in the lymph nodes of one of the wild hares from Pellworm.