Male 22, an endangered Pacific pocket mouse, adjusts to his new backpack transmitter, which San Diego Zoo Global conservationists will use to track his behavior. (Photo by Debra Shier)

Dear Friend,

The critically endangered Pacific pocket mouse has a staunch supporter in Debra Shier, conservationist at the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research. As urbanization and agriculture have altered its sandy, coastal habitat, researchers are finding new ways to learn about this diminutive animal, including designing an aspirin-sized transmitter to attach to its back to record its travels. This can be a challenging proposition, as the mice are nocturnal...and not accustomed to wearing backpacks! Join Debra in the field on the first night of attaching a tiny transmitter to lucky "Male 22."

Best regards,
San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy Team
wildlifeconservancy@sandiegozoo.org