The golden hamster is facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future in their native Syria The IUCN lists it as EN B1 2c Extent of occurrence estimated to be less than 100 km2 or area of occupancy estimated to be less than 10 km2 and estimates indicating the following Severely fragmented or known to exist at only a single location Continuing decline observed inferred or projected in area extent and or quality of habitat