Evaluating population status and habitat needs of Preble’s Meadow Jumping Mouse
Led by Tanya Shenk
This project sought to establish the presence, relative population viability, and habitat needs of Preble’s Meadow Jumping mouse, a Federal threatened species. The project focused on study sites near Castle Rock, Colorado along Colorado’s Front Range between Denver and Colorado Springs. Mice were captured and radio-tagged to estimate relative abundance, survival rates, key hibernation sites, relative habitat use, and genetic characteristics of mouse DNA. Modifying habitats to improve potential conditions for mice was evaluated by Ann Trainor, a graduate student under the direction of Tanya Shenk and Dr. Ken Wilson at Colorado State University. Field research on Preble’s ended in 2003 but published results of the work continue to influence decisions regarding the Federal listed status of Preble’s.