Lecture on the Romanian Hamster at the Faculty of Biology, Sofia University

On December 18, 2024, PhD student Yasen Gensusov from the Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) delivered a lecture on the Romanian Hamster to students, professors, and guests at the Faculty of Biology, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski.”

The Romanian (Black-Bellied) Hamster (Mesocricetus newtoni) is one of the rarest mammals in Bulgaria and can be found in only two countries worldwide—Romania and Bulgaria—in a highly restricted range (the Danubian Plain and Dobruja). Due to its limited habitat, scientific data on this species is extremely scarce.

As a key part of the prey base for the endangered Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug), the Romanian Hamster is critically important for the falcon’s survival. For this reason, much of Yasen’s research has been conducted within the framework of the project “Life for the Falcon.” The lecture was part of the “Lecture Series on Biodiversity Research and Conservation.”

The event sparked great interest, with 25 students and faculty members attending. It also received coverage from national media outlets, highlighting its significance for raising awareness about endangered species and biodiversity conservation.

  

Photos: IBEI-BAS