LiveWire

Another case of absurd environmentalism.

“Harmful crops” and “unchecked urbanization” are bad for the feral hamsters of Alsace. This is the recent judgment of the European Court of Justice on a case brought by the European Commission three years ago. France will face daily fines if it doesn’t adjust its agriculture to accommodate the creature—considered a farmland pest–all 800 of them.

Court Rules France Not Doing Enough to Protect Its Hamsters

Much like mice, they live a very fragile existence, always on the lookout for predators. Now, that predator has come in the form of the French, who are driving them toward extinction.

Ruling on a case brought by the European Commission three years ago, the European Court of Justice determined that the French republic had shown a lack of due care towards its dwindling population of the black-bellied rodents. Wild European hamsters, which can live for four years and grow to more than 20 cm in length, are considered farmland pests, but are threatened with extinction in their small habitat in Alsace, eastern France.

Perhaps France feels like the hamster is not a species of community interest. Many, especially those with pet hamsters, would disagree. Even though, many hamsters are bred in captivity, it is nice to see a healthy wild population. Just like seeing wild horses, it is good that domesticated animals can still make it on their own.

They are cute. The wild hamsters hibernate for six months and live alone. Maybe there’s a way to make life better for everyone. The hamsters could emigrate to Germany and live in a hamster protection station. Perhaps the 800 could be taken in by loving French families. You know what they say, “How you gonna keep ’em down on the farm after they’ve seen Paree?”.