The New Mexico (Meadow) Jumping Mouse was first listed as endangered in 2014. Declining species populations were attributed to habitat loss and degradation, mostly due to livestock grazing. Other threats to the species’ habitat included flood and fire events, including the Wallow Fire of 2011 that destroyed a large amount of the primary constituent elements within the species’ habitat in Eastern Arizona. New Mexico Jumping Mice rely on dense tall vegetation with saturated soils and flowing water.
To help conserve the New Mexico Jumping Mouse in Arizona, AZGFD biologists have spearheaded a cooperative effort with partners that include Northern Arizona University (NAU), USFWS, and USFS. Some of the collaboration’s conservation efforts include increased population surveys, life history studies, and habitat improvement efforts to help the New Mexico Jumping Mouse on its way to recovery. Other efforts include livestock exclusion and fence improvement projects at several AZGFD properties to improve habitat. Meanwhile, NAU has created an occupancy model that predicts species presence using diet analysis and habitat data. The team at NAU is currently investigating the genetic connectivity of populations across the White Mountains along with locations and requirements for successful hibernation. These efforts have been funded through AZGFD Heritage Grants.
By the Numbers:
When first listed in 2014, there were 12 sites identified as currently occupied. Since 2015, the New Mexico Jumping Mouse has been confirmed at 39 new sites that have been monitored for species presence using trapping or track plating method.
New Mexico jumping mice have been detected along 10 waterways in existing critical habitat and 14 outside of critical habitat.
Between 2015 and 2017, NAU captured 71 individuals and collected samples for diet and genetic analysis.
Four individuals were collared and tracked using telemetry to learn more about their life history and inform a species’ home range size.