Nation spending over $4 million to save hamsters

The Great Hamster of Alsace is endangered.

At one point, only 161 of the furry little creatures were left on the planet.

There are between 500-1,000 now but apparently that’s not enough.

Scientists say their natural habitat has been eaten away by large-scale farming, exploding city growth, and road projects.

Leaders in France are now faced with changing that, or paying a huge fine.

The nation is spending over $4 million to have farmers grow alfalfa and wheat, crops the animals love. The Guardian reports some of the farms refused and others complained because their profits fell, but that won’t matter.

The European Commission promises to fine France hundreds of millions if the animal's numbers don’t climb to 1,500.

More here.