Recommendations for translocating the New Mexico jumping mouse (Zapus luteus)

Degraded riparian systems in the southwestern United States are often restored using active approaches (e.g., use of heavy equipment, creation of structures). However, wildlife species that are stream obligates may need to be moved during active restoration to avoid injury or mortality. As a small riparian obligate, the New Mexico jumping mouse (Zapus luteus), listed as Endangered in 2014 under the Endangered Species Act, relies on tall, dense vegetation during its active period (June–September) and hibernates primarily in upland areas during the remainder of the year. Our objective was to provide recommendations for translocation of New Mexico jumping mice that could aide in protection during active restoration. We compared survival and movements between translocated individuals and resident New Mexico jumping mice. We hypothesized that survival would be lower, but movements would be greater, for translocated compared to resident animals. We captured 16 New Mexico jumping mice at a restoration site from August to October in 2022 and 2023 and translocated them to high quality habitat ~6 km upstream and compared their activity with 21 resident jumping mice captured at the release site. We radio-tracked individuals for 1 to 27 days and used those with ≥5 days of data to calculate movements. Contrary to our hypotheses, translocated New Mexico jumping mice were predated at similar high levels to, and moved similar distances from, the stream as residents. However, translocated New Mexico jumping mice had larger home ranges (>3 times) and moved greater distances (>2 times) along streams than residents. Although translocated individuals experienced high levels of mortality (47%), translocation could be a viable option for protecting New Mexico jumping mice during active restoration, especially if moved in high numbers (e.g., >20) to high-quality habitat in close proximity (e.g., 2–4 km) to their capture site.