San Diego, CA, USA - May 30, 2024

The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, has initiated a groundbreaking conservation effort aimed at reintroducing endangered Pacific pocket mice to their native habitats. The release, which took place outside of active training areas on Marine Corps Installations West, Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Pendleton, marks a significant milestone in the ongoing battle to preserve biodiversity in the face of coastal habitat loss.

The Pacific pocket mouse, once widespread along the California coast, has experienced a drastic decline in population due to human encroachment and habitat degradation. Thought to be extinct for two decades, the species was rediscovered in 1993, prompting urgent conservation measures. Emergency listing as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in 1994 underscored the dire need for intervention to prevent extinction.

To combat extinction, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance launched a comprehensive conservation breeding and reintroduction program in 2012. Through strategic partnerships and support from organizations like the California Department of Wildlife Services, the program aims to breed genetically diverse and behaviorally competent mice suitable for reintroduction into their native habitats.

Despite their diminutive size, Pacific pocket mice play a crucial ecological role, dispersing native plant seeds and promoting plant growth through their digging activities. The breeding program not only safeguards the species but also enhances understanding of managing genetic diversity in native populations.

MCB Camp Pendleton, renowned for its commitment to environmental stewardship, actively manages numerous federally listed threatened and endangered species alongside military training activities. Through environmentally conscious practices, the Marine Corps has established itself as both a training ground and a sanctuary, preserving vast areas of land and numerous species, including the Pacific pocket mouse.