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Survey finds endangered mouse in Lincoln National Forest

  Biologists’ recent trapping efforts have confirmed the presence of the New Mexico Meadow Jumping Mouse (NMMJM) in an area where it historically occurred in the Sacramento Mountains.  Beth Humphrey, District Ranger on the Sacramento Ranger District said, “This is a remarkable discovery!  There are only a few populations of this species left, with suitable habitats found in isolated areas of New Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona.  To confirm their existence here on the Lincoln National Forest gives hope that this species can recover over a period of time.” 

The New Mexico meadow jumping mouse was listed as an endangered species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2014 with critical habitat being designated in 2016. The species requires tall, dense riparian vegetation during its short summer active season, when it breeds and rears its young and stores fat reserves for its long hibernation. This is a very difficult animal to trap.  District Biologist, Jack Williams, and a crew of biological technicians surveyed five sites in suitable habitat and confirmed its presence.  Williams' team used Sherman traps, which are box-style traps used for live capture and release, to confirm the species’ presence. “The crew is also using special cameras to detect the mouse.  In coming years we’ll be using track plates and possibly canines that are specially-trained to detect this species.  This is cutting edge wildlife management being used for a small endangered mouse that is extremely difficult to detect,” said District Ranger Beth Humphrey. 

The team also conducted detailed habitat assessments, including vegetation and stream and soil characteristics, and collected fur and fecal samples from the mice to conduct an analysis of their diet. Trapping efforts continued over a period of six weeks starting in July and ending in September with over 5000 traps set.  In addition to the NMMJM, species trapped included long-tailed weasel, voles, shrews, and woodrats. 

During the time that the Lincoln National Forest was conducting surveys, Northern Arizona University School of Forestry professor and wildlife ecologist Dr. Carol Chambers’, Ph.D., and her crew were wrapping up survey efforts on the Santa Fe National Forest in northern New Mexico and the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in east-central Arizona, in which the species was also confirmed. 

Management for NMMJM on the Sacramento Ranger District has been ongoing since 2014.  Management actions taken on the Lincoln National Forest involved three grazing allotments where critical habitat for the mouse was designated in 2016.  Habitat protection included replacement of barbed wire fences at with metal pipe fences to reduce maintenance and compliance costs; issuance of seasonal area closure orders to reduce impacts on critical habitat from recreation use and livestock grazing; construction of corrals and livestock working facilities to allow ranchers the flexibility to work cattle away from the delineated, protected habitat areas, and construction of temporary electric fences to protect NMMJM habitat during the grazing season while providing access to water for livestock and room for the ranchers to work cattle.  

The Lincoln National Forest will continue to work with interested parties, including grazing permittees, local and state governments, hunters and outdoorsmen, and other non-governmental organizations to minimize impacts on this species’ habitat while providing for the many uses these areas support. 

Beginning this fall, the district will be seeking public comments about proposals for a long term management strategy for recovery of the NMMJM and protection of critical habitat.  If you are interested in being included on our mailing list and receiving information related to this assessment, please contact Ciara Cusack at (575) 682-2551.  For more information about the Lincoln National Forest, visitwww.fs.usda.gov/lincoln and follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/LincolnUSForest.