Annual Meeting of Nature Conservationists - European Hamster in Focus - Saxony Launches €12.2M 'LIFE4HamsterSachsen' to Save European Hamster
A new initiative, 'LIFE4HamsterSachsen', is underway in Saxony to protect and reintroduce the European hamster. This ambitious project, spanning six years and €12.2 million, aims to boost the hamster population and create suitable habitats. The project is primarily funded by the European Union, with support from local and regional partners.
The European hamster, once widespread, has faced severe decline due to intensive agriculture and pesticides. Now, agricultural areas in its potential habitat are being transformed to accommodate the species, with crop and flower strips designed specifically for them. Meanwhile, the Leipzig Zoo is breeding European hamsters for release back into the wild.
The project involves a wide range of partners, including public institutions, non-governmental organisations, private enterprises, and scientific bodies. It has garnered significant volunteer support, with around 1,200 nature conservationists in Saxony contributing to data collection and habitat management. These volunteers will focus on the European hamster at their annual meeting this coming Saturday.
By 2031, the 'LIFE4HamsterSaxony' project aims to have around 300 European hamsters thriving in the wild and 400 hectares of agricultural land habitable for them. This initiative underscores the commitment of local and European authorities, along with volunteers and conservationists, to protect and restore the European hamster population.
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