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Natural habitats impacted by the construction of a 24 kilometre stretch of motorway are receiving a boost from Alsatian hamsters.

This follows 40 years of controversy and local opposition to the route's construction, near Strasbourg in northeastern France.

The road's constructor, Vinci Autoroutes, had to accommodate a French law from 2016 which obliges it to compensate for the loss of biodiversity it causes.

Also known as the European hamster, as an umbrella species the Alsatian hamster benefits other flora and fauna.

It provides a guide to the quality of local habitats, explains Timothée Gérard, a PhD student at the National Scientific Research Centre.

Despite being added to the list of critically endangered species in 2020, there's now hope for the animal says Arnaud Guillemin, Vinci's environmental manager.

Arnaud Guillemin: "As it's a protected species, we have very low populations.

Exacting protocols surround each release of hamsters into the wild, with the aim of supporting the success of the programme.

Head of breeding at not-for-profit Sauvegarde Faune Sauvage, Celia Schappler, outlines some considerations.

Celia Schappler: "We will release them in lines, alternating between male and female.

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