The presence of hamster (Cricetus cricetus) in Slovenia was confirmed in 1980 for the first time, when two specimens were found close to village Obrež. After that no data about his presence was available. 34 years later we confirmed the presence of hamster (Cricetus cricetus) in Središče ob Dravi. The location is on the far edge of its areal and is the only known in Slovenia.
The census and habitat inspection was done on 12 September 2014 as part of field practice for the course Conservation biology with students of Biology and natural conservation (Faculty of Natural sciences and Mathematics). Students were lead around the area by prof. dr. Boris Kryštufek, prof.dr. Franc Janžekovič and Dominik Bombek, professor of biology and chemistry.
Before the start of the field practice, Mr. Jurij Borko, mayor of Središče ob Dravi, presented the municipality and activities that are being carried out in order to establish Središče ob Dravi Nature Park, to the students. In his brief lecture Prof. dr. Boris Kryštufek presented biology of hamster and Dominik Bombek explained more about protected and secured areas.
Approximately 200 hectares of the census area between Obrež and Središče ob Dravi was very wet due to heavy rain and therefore hard to pass. Corn fields posed an additional problem, because they couldn’t be examined. There was around 40% of these kind of fields, but we nevertheless found burrows at the edges where corn fields meet pumpkin fields. Those edges are overgrown by weeds (around one meter wide). 7 burrows were found in two places. On a field of lucerne another burrow and stems of plants, that were bit off, were found.
Even though three decades have passed, the same use of land, corresponding to ecological needs of hamster, remains in the area. That is only one reason more, why it would be positive to establish a protected area between Obrež and Središče ob Dravi, where specific natural and cultural landscape is being preserved. Activities for establishment of the nature park are carried out within the project LIVEDRAVA.
 Photo: Tilen Basle |
 Photo: Tilen Basle |
