Catalysing the Conservation of the Critically Endangered Common hamster through an Innovative Species and Agricultural Management Approach

This demonstration project aims to reach a more favourable conservation status for the Common hamster in the project area through

an integrated management approach in which farmers, scientists and policymakers closely cooperate and implement innovations in

management. Following the EU Biodiversity Strategy, this project will make an important contribution to improve the conservation

status of a species that depends on and is affected by agriculture. Therefore, the project wants to demonstrate that it is possible to

bridge productive farming and rural biodiversity through innovation while having an impact on policy. In this project the region of

the BNN genetic lineage of the Common hamster is used to demonstrate this integrated approach. The BNN-region comprehends

the South of Limburg (Belgium), Limburg (The Netherlands) and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany).

LIFE Cricetus is built upon the following objectives:

1 Prevent the extinction of Cricetus cricetus in the project area of Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany/North Rhine-Westphalia

2 Ensure long term survival and fitness of the Common hamster

3 Establishment of experimental and demonstration farms where the feasibility and effectiveness of new agricultural management

measures for the Common hamster will be tested and deployed

4 Establisment of agricultural hamster cooperatives that support the protection of the hamster as well as other farmland biodiversity

5 Increase the area of land managed with hamster & wildlife-friendly measures in intensive farmland

6 Influence CAP policy by providing recommendations and implementing new measures for the Common hamster

7 Raise awareness and enhance the support for the hamster and biodiversity-friendly agricultural management

8 Dissemination of the findings, actions, and management structure, to other areas where other European genetic lineages of the

Common hamster are present and declining.