On burrowed time: France pays up for the great hamster

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2008

PARIS (AFP) — France has earmarked 500,000 euros (735,000 dollars) to save the great hamster, a species threatened with extinction through loss of habitat in its native Alsace, the ecology ministry said on Friday.

There are only between 400 and 1,000 great hamsters (Cricetus cricetus) left, living near the eastern city of Strasbourg, and at least 1,500 are needed to reach a threshold of viability.

Also known as the European hamster, the burrowing creature is about the size of a guinea pig, with a black belly and light brown back.

The money will mainly go towards protecting areas where the remaining hamster colonies live and to encourage local farmers to grow alfalfa, the hamsters' food of choice, the ministry said in a press release.

France had been...