Pacific Pocket Mouse Declared Candidate for California Endangered Species Protection

The California Fish and Game Commission voted unanimously to grant candidate status under the California Endangered Species Act, starting a yearlong review.

📍 Orange & San Diego Counties 🕒 2‑min read Source: Center for Biological Diversity press release

“The commission took an important step to protect one of California’s smallest native mammals… Additional protections under state law will give this tiny mouse a better chance at survival.”

— Elizabeth Reid‑Wainscoat, Center for Biological Diversity

Where it lives (approximate locations)

Known occupied habitat is estimated at < 740 acres across three sites: Dana Point Preserve and two areas on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Federal ESA protection has existed since 1994.

Threat filters

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Candidate review checklist

Candidate status granted by Commission Yearlong CESA review by California Department of Fish and Wildlife Final decision on state listing (threatened/endangered)

Background: Critical habitat has been denied twice at the federal level; the petition history and context were previously covered.

At a glance

The petition from the Center for Biological Diversity triggered the review. The species is known at three locations, including Dana Point Preserve and sites on Camp Pendleton. Occupied habitat totals under 740 acres. State protections would also apply on non‑federal lands at Dana Point.

For context on ESA rule debates and habitat protection, see: ESA rule change coverage and habitat definition changes. Related wildlife reporting in California includes wolf population updates and coho salmon returns.

Full press release (Center for Biological Diversity) Web Story: Safeguarding the Pacific pocket mouse Sierra Nevada meadows & protected frogs Blue whale song trend off California

This section summarized the vote for candidate status, the petition origin, the three known locations, the acreage estimate, and the next steps in the California review.

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