Feldhamsterschutz in der Ackerebene Nordwestsachsen – Kooperativ. Klimaresilient.

ongoing

The common hamster (Cricetus cricetus) is a species listed in Annex IV of the Habitats Directive with a conservation status assessed as “Unfavourably-Poor” (U2-) for the continental region in Germany and the Saxony region. Since the 1970s, the former widespread distribution area in Saxony has continuously shrunk. The last extensive population occurred in northwest Saxony (project area). After a sharp decline in 2004 and two extremely dry summers (2018/19), the situation deteriorated significantly. Since 2020, monitoring did not reveal any evidence of hamsters in the area. Large-scale agriculture and climate change are the main causes for the collapse. The fragmentation of populations has certainly contributed to this. In 2008, a Working Group for Cooperative Common Hamster Protection in Saxony (WGCH) was founded which, since then, has implemented protection measures. However, the joint efforts have not yet led to an increase in the population. To prevent extinction, a captive breeding programme recommended by the International Common Hamster Workgroup for the central German population was set up at Zoo Leipzig and a change in strategy has been undertaken. In 2024, the WGCH developed a Cooperative Strategy. The project “LIFE4HamsterSaxony” is the first operational building block for the implementation of the strategy. Therefore, a holistic One Plan Approach was developed; goals are: - Establishment of a self-sustaining, genetically diverse population of 1.200 common hamsters (2031), 1.500 (2036). - Restoration of 394 ha sustainable habitats through innovative, climate change-adapted agriculture. - Establishment of captive breeding to build up a reserve population for reinforcement for up to 800 animals per year. - Expansion of regional-specific expertise and knowledge transfer on common hamster ecology, hamster-friendly farming, and the impact of climate change. - Increase awareness, communication on conservation measures, and motivation for involvement in protecting the common hamster and NATURA 2000.