Our conservation team worked overnight while the mice were awake.

We have 30 tiny new faces to introduce you to! Our Perdido Key beach mice breeding program has expanded, as our team recently collected over two dozen new beach mice that will help protect their species from extinction and allow them to act as important ambassador animals. 

We’re one of only a few zoos that participate in the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ (AZA) critical Saving Animals from Extinction (SAFE) program for Perdido Key beach mice. We’ve held an assurance population of this species for nearly two decades to act as a safeguard in the event that their counterparts in their native range drastically decrease. 

Mice footprints in the sand.

Perdido Key beach mice are an endangered species that face constant threats from hurricanes, human development and climate change, making our Zoo population even more important. Our breeding group began with only 12 mice which wildlife biologists collected after the mice were all but wiped out following 2004’s Hurricane Ivan. Since we joined this program in 2007, we have celebrated 382 mice baby births, and 48 individuals sent back to their native range! The mice we release are always determined by a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lead biologist. Releases occur when data shows that very few mice are present in an area and are unable to reestablish themselves without intervention. 

These tiny white mice are found only on a small island off the coast of Florida and Alabama. Here, they are integral to the coastal dune ecosystem’s health. As natural seed dispersers, these mice help spread the seeds of dune-stabilizing plants, as well as aerate the soil to encourage the plant growth. Plant growth in these areas helps prevent severe erosion and provides greater protection to local infrastructure during hurricanes. 

Recently, our conservation team took a trip to Perdido Key to collect more mice to bring back to our Zoo. This is a routine operation that ensures our Zoo’s mouse population is as healthy and genetically diverse as possible. Our team brought back 30 young and healthy individuals,15 males and 15 females.  

“Within the first day, they were running on the rodent wheels that we gave them,” said Senior Conservation Manager Becca. “They’ve all made many burrows and are using their habitats fully, including interacting with all of the enrichment we’ve given them” 

It may sound counterintuitive to help mice populations by collecting individuals and bringing them back to live under human care.

Tracking tubes show how many mice have gone through using ink pads.

However, this is essential work that helps the mice population in the long run.  

“This species has struggled to remain large or strong enough due to habitat loss,” said Becca.  

We have bred many mice that have been released back to Perdido Key to prevent the species from going extinct. With a healthy and diverse population of mice, we can release them back in a moment’s notice in the event that a storm or disease wipes them out, which has happened and likely will again.  

It is also important to note that there is always population monitoring and surveying conducted prior to any mice collection to ensure

their numbers are strong. To do this, our field crews create “tracking tubes” for the mice. When a mouse walks by, they’re able to see the foot prints they leave after grabbing the sunflower seeds placed at the end of the tube. This data is incredibly useful and shows us where the mice are located in the dune network.  

We’re proud to continue our work to ensure that this integral beach mice species has a strong future ahead here in Florida. Thank you to Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation who make this critical conservation breeding program possible. We will be sure to keep you updated with all-things mouse news (including baby announcements!) in the coming months. 

Brevard Zoo is an independent, not-for-profit organization that receives no recurring government funding for our operating costs. Your generous support enables us to continue to serve our community and continue our vital animal wellness, education and conservation programs.