42 field hamsters start a new life in the wild

The Halle Mountain Zoo has brought 42 field hamsters to a protected area in northern Saxony to be released into the wild. The animals were bred at Leipzig Zoo and were cared for in Halle over the winter, as the zoo announced. All of the animals had survived the hibernation well and reached a weight of up to 650 grams.

The reintroduction is part of the "Cooperative field hamster protection in the Free State of Saxony" project, which Leipzig Zoo is implementing together with the Free State of Saxony and other partners. The aim is to establish stable field hamster populations in the last area where the species can be found in Saxony.

Protecting native species

"We are proud to be able to support this successful and exemplary project in close partnership with Leipzig Zoo to protect the endangered European hamster," said zoo director Dennis Müller. The protection of native species is particularly important to the zoo. "We look forward to continuing this commitment in the coming year."

This year's release marks the second year of the project. A total of up to 200 animals are to be released into the wild this year - on specially prepared areas that are managed in a hamster-friendly way.

The project relies on voluntary measures, contractual cooperation between nature conservation and agriculture as well as the involvement of zoos and authorities. The field hamster is considered an indicator of a diverse and intact agricultural landscape, from which other species also benefit.