XXIX International hamster workgroup meeting

On 12 and 13 October 2022, the University of Ghent, Centre for Environmental and Energy Law, the Agency for Nature & Forests and Natuurpunt gathered more than 70 experts working in the fields of biology, ecology and conservation of the European hamster (Cricetus cricetus) and/or other species of hamsters to present the results of their work at the 29th Hamster Meeting in Brussels, Belgium (hybrid).

Initially this meeting was to be held in Kyiv Zoo, Ukraine in September 2022. The Russian War in Ukraine, and the human tragedy to which it led, rendered the organization of the meeting impossible. We hosted the meeting to guarantee the continuity of the yearly meeting and in support of our Ukrainian colleagues.

On the second day, 13 October 2022 we organized a field trip in the land of Haspengouw, to illustrate conservation measures in Limburg, Widooie.

Download the full program

You can read the abstracts and presentations here:

Versteirt, SWOT analysis current species protection program for Wild hamsters in Flanders – Presentation
Schoukens, The law and the Wild hamster: doing the (im-)possible? – Abstract – Presentation
Nevelsteen, Notes from the field – Abstract – Presentation
Descamps, Introduction of the captive bred hamster from 2019-2021 in Widooie: Any hope for the last Belgian population? – Abstract – Presentation
La Haye, The struggle for effective conservation of hamsters in The Netherlands – Abstract – Presentation
C. Virion, The Wild hamster in Alsace: back from extinction? – Abstract – Presentation
Müskens, Habitat-Use of Common Buzzard in relation to hamster conservation areas –Presentation
Monecke, Captive breeding of a circannual species – chronobiological chances and pittfalls – Presentation
Rusin, Wind turbines and hamsters: conservation programmes of dwarf hamsters in Ukraine – Abstract – Presentation
Fleitz, Improving the success of restocking programs – Abstract – Presentation
Antrobus Thorweihe, Burrow-Infrastructures improve successful reintroduction – Abstract – Presentation
Grente, Hamster Distribution Model: a case study in Alsace – Abstract – Presentation
Siutz, Effects of food supplementation in autumn on subsequent reproductive success – Abstract
Nemeth, PUFA changes in white adipose tissue during hibernation in common hamsters – Abstract – Presentation
Jerosh & M. Schneider, Wildlife detection dog and hamster protection – first results from the field – Abstract – Presentation
Gérard, Effect of various crop associations on the health and reproductive success of the European hamster - Abstract – Presentation

Handrich, Development of tools for monitoring in the wild – Abstract – Poster
Hein, Project Feldhamsterland - Poster