Last year, researchers discovered the Santa Cruz kangaroo rat in Sierra Azul Preserve, a species that had not been documented in Santa Clara County since 1947, and this year, a team of UC Santa Cruz researchers and Midpen wildlife biologists successfully located several individuals of this elusive rodent. In 2019, wildlife photographer and researcher Ken Hickman’s cameras in the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve captured captivating images of the Santa Cruz kangaroo rat, a tiny creature with distinctive features including black eyes, large hind legs, and a long tail.The scientific community was thrilled by the discovery, recognizing the opportunity it … Continue reading Santa Cruz Kangaroo Rat: A Remarkable Rediscovery in Sierra Azul