Research and Conservation Symposium, GAIA ZOO(nl translation)(de translation)

The Research and Conservation Symposium, hosted by GAIA-ZOO, brought together experts, researchers, and practitioners working across a variety of species and conservation challenges.

As part of the programme, our colleague Leona Milec (PXL Bio-Research, lead beneficiary of LIFE Cricetus) presented her work on parentage analysis of wild-caught common hamsters in Widooie.

This research is an important piece of the broader LIFE Cricetus project.

By understanding family relationships, genetic diversity, and dispersal patterns within the remaining wild population, we can better assess its long-term viability and make informed decisions on habitat management, release strategies, and population reinforcement.

A big thank-you to GAIA-ZOO for organizing a symposium that brought together such a wide range of conservation perspectives — and for providing a platform to highlight the work being done for the critically endangered common hamster within the LIFE Cricetus project.