Endangered hamsters return to Saxony's fields

Yellow sea of flowers, clear spring air and rodents on their way to freedom: the second year of reintroduction for the endangered field hamster has begun in northern Saxony with the release of the first 15 animals. "This year, we want to build on the successful reintroduction year of 2024, in which we released 71 animals into the wild, by releasing up to 200 animals," said Jörg Junhold, Director of Leipzig Zoo. More than 200 burrows were documented on the protected release area in the fall - an indication of successful reproduction.

Leipzig Zoo is coordinating the project together with the "Cooperative field hamster protection in the Free State of Saxony" working group. The aim is to establish a stable population of the endangered species in Saxony's last area of occurrence. The project is supported by the Saxon Ministry of the Environment, scientists and farmer André Kleiber, who is providing suitable land.

Saving hamsters means preserving the cultural landscape

Saxony's Environment Minister Georg-Ludwig von Breitenbuch (CDU) explained: "The preservation and protection of this once widespread hamster species is a contribution to the restoration of a cultural landscape that offers intact habitats for animals and plants and in which diverse arable land can develop."

In preparation for the reintroduction, two fields were planted with winter cereals, clover and flowering mixtures and secured with an electric fence against predators such as raccoons and foxes. Bergzoo Halle and Tierpark Berlin are now also helping to build up a stable population. Last year, a total of 224 cubs were born in 32 litters at Leipzig Zoo's breeding station.