European populations of Common hamster (Cricetus cricetus) have dramatically declined in the last decades, and in many EU countries, the species is on the brink of extinction. In the Netherlands, a research and reintroduction program was started in three areas with hamster-friendly management to reverse the decline of the species. Since 2002, more than 800 captive-bred and wild-born hamsters were monitored using implant radiotransmitters to quantify survival rates and discover the main causes of death after release compared to those of wild individuals. Individuals with a transmitter were regularly checked at their burrow. Predation by foxes, birds of prey, and small mustelids was the most important cause of mortality of this medium-sized rodent, while crop type and harvest regime were also likely to be important drivers as they influenced survival rates through the presence or absence of protective cover. The fitted weekly survival model showed that male hamsters had much lower survival rates during the active season than females, which corresponds with the ‘risky male hypothesis’. Survival rates of females appeared too low to keep populations at a stable level. To establish a viable population, more optimal environmental conditions for both survival and reproduction of the hamsters are necessary. Using electric fences around fields with hamsters significantly increased the survival of females. However, hamster conservationists need to consider not just subadult and adult survival rates, but also habitat connectivity, weather effects on reproduction, and alternative agricultural practices on a landscape scale.

中文翻译：

---

在荷兰重新引入的仓鼠 Cricetus cricetus 种群的捕食和存活

在过去的几十年里，欧洲仓鼠（Cricetus cricetus）的数量急剧下降，在许多欧盟国家，该物种正处于灭绝的边缘。在荷兰，在三个地区启动了一项研究和重新引入计划，采用仓鼠友好管理，以扭转该物种的衰退趋势。自 2002 年以来，使用植入式无线电发射器对 800 多只圈养和野生出生的仓鼠进行了监测，以量化存活率，并与野生个体相比，发现释放后的主要死亡原因。有发射器的人会在他们的洞穴里定期接受检查。狐狸、猛禽和小鼬科动物的捕食是这种中型啮齿动物死亡的最重要原因，而作物类型和收获制度也可能是重要的驱动因素，因为它们会通过保护层的存在与否影响成活率。拟合周生存模型显示，雄性仓鼠在活跃季节的存活率远低于雌性，这与“危险雄性假设”相符。雌性的存活率似乎太低，无法将种群保持在稳定水平。为了建立一个可行的种群，仓鼠的生存和繁殖需要更优化的环境条件。在有仓鼠的田地周围使用电围栏显着提高了雌性的存活率。然而，仓鼠保护主义者不仅需要考虑亚成体和成体的存活率，还需要考虑栖息地的连通性、天气对繁殖的影响、