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Oooerrr I'm endangered!

PostPosted:Fri Jul 10, 2020 9:17 pm
by Korenwolf
European hamster added to 'critically endangered' list - apparently we're not breeding enough...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-53363474

The European Hamster (Cricetus cricetus), once abundant across Europe and Russia, has suffered severe populations declines across its entire range and is now listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Research has shown that the population declines are likely due to lowered reproduction rates. While a female hamster had an average of over 20 offspring a year during most of the 20th century, females today have been found to give birth to only 5 to 6 pups annually. The reasons for the reduced reproduction rates are not yet fully understood, but the expansion of monoculture plantations, industrial development, global warming and light pollution are being investigated as possible causes.

As a result, the rodent has vanished from three quarters of its original habitat in the French region of Alsace, from at least a third of its range in Germany, and from more than 75% of its range in Eastern Europe. If nothing changes, the species is expected to go extinct within the next 30 years.

Re: Oooerrr I'm endangered!

PostPosted:Sat Jul 11, 2020 12:23 am
by cockney steve
I was going to suggest that the travelling community are eating them, but that's not politically -correct ,so I won't suggest it. :P

Re: Oooerrr I'm endangered!

PostPosted:Sat Jul 11, 2020 8:21 am
by PeteSpencer
I blame Freddie Starr

Re: Oooerrr I'm endangered!

PostPosted:Sat Jul 11, 2020 9:46 am
by Pete L
That was only your hamster.

I blame nuns and cold convents. They're making a habit of it.

Re: Oooerrr I'm endangered!

PostPosted:Sat Jul 11, 2020 9:50 am
by Bill McCarthy
Reduction of family allowance.

Re: Oooerrr I'm endangered!

PostPosted:Sat Jul 11, 2020 9:53 am
by Pete L
Not a bad point.

It could be a sign of the day the hamsters will rule the earth - as societies become richer and more educated the birth rate goes down.

Re: Oooerrr I'm endangered!

PostPosted:Sat Jul 11, 2020 8:30 pm
by Korenwolf
Pete L wrote:hamsters will rule the earth.


I'm getting the T-shirts printed :thumright:

Re: Oooerrr I'm endangered!

PostPosted:Sat Jul 11, 2020 10:25 pm
by Awful Charlie
Top Gere!