Environment
Pacific pocket mouse gains third reintroduced population at Camp Pendleton
One of North America’s smallest and most endangered mammals has a new foothold in coastal Southern California.
KPBS reports that conservationists established a new Pacific pocket mouse population at North San Mateo, a coastal-sage-scrub training area within Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
Milestone: Third population reintroduced through the conservation program
Location: North San Mateo at Camp Pendleton
Program total: More than 500 mice released into new and existing populations since 2006
A regional recovery effort
The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance announced the milestone October 6. The endangered species was believed extinct until a remnant population was found in Orange County in 1993. Three original wild populations remain.
The recovery partnership includes the wildlife alliance, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Geological Survey and Camp Pendleton. The mice support coastal ecosystems by moving seeds and improving soil and water movement through their burrows.
Original reporting and announcement: Read the KPBS report → · Read the wildlife-alliance announcement →