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Perdido Key Beach Mouse Recovery Action Plan 

Perdido Key beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus trissyllepsis) 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Southeast Region – Panama City, Florida Ecological Services Field Office

◘Target: Prevent Extinction and Improve the Status of the Perdido Key Beach Mouse 

Perdido Key beach mouse:Status: Endangered 

Recovery Priority Number: 3C (high degree of threat/high recovery potential) 

Recovery Plan: Choctawhatchee Beach Mouse, Perdido Key Beach Mouse, and Alabama Beach Mouse Recovery P

5-year Review: completed in September 2007 Other: Listed as endangered on June 6, 1985 (50 FR 23872), designation of critical habitat, October 12, 2006 (71 FThreats: Habitat loss and fragmentation: Habitat loss and fragmentation associated with residential and commercial real estat

primary threat contributing to the endangered status of beach mice. Isolation of small populations of beach mice red

flow between populations and can result in the loss of genetic diversity. The conservation of multiple large, contiguessential to the persistence of beach mice. Restricted range: The Perdido Key beach mouse (PKBM) is endemic to the 16-mile long barrier island known as P

County, Florida. Currently, the only known populations exist at Perdido Key State Park (PKSP) and Gulf Islands Na

Johnson Beach Unit (GINS). Perdido Key beach mice at PKSP are currently at extremely low numbers; habitat is in 2004-2005 storm seasons. Recent surveys at GINS indicate the adult population includes only a few hundred indivibut narrow spit of land that can be overwashed in tropical storms or hurricanes. Future overwash events may result i

populations. Catastrophic events: For example, weather events even minor storms could cause the species’ extinction. 
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Predation: Predation in beach mouse populations that have sufficient recruitment and habitat availability is natural a

However, predation pressure from natural and non-native predators may result in the extirpation of small, isolated pmice. In particular, free ranging feral and domestic cats can have a devastating effect on beach mice populations. Development: Coastal development reduces availability and connectivity of habitat; increases human associated per

free-roaming pets, ambient lighting, and recreational use. Perdido Key Beach Mouse Recovery Action Plan 

Current Status: Hurricane Ivan made landfall in September 2004 just west of Perdido Key, resulting in severe imp

and the Perdido Key beach mouse. Hurricanes are part of the natural ecosystem as are other coastal weather events maintenance of beach mouse habitat through shoreline accretion, erosion, and dune formation. However, the loss an

habitat have amplified the potential impacts, such that minor storms now pose a significant threat. While several ha

restoration projects have been completed since then, monitoring has shown a severe decline in what had previously 

secure population of the beach mouse. Currently, the known populations could easily be lost in a tropical storm or h

their extirpation. Threats may act in concert especially when coupled with events such as tropical storms, reduced f

reduced reproductive success; isolated populations may experience severe declines or extirpation.

Target: Prevent species’ extinction and improve the species status within its range.

Measure: Ensure the viability of the PKBM populations and minimize immediate threat of extinction. Increase popRecovery Status from Declining to Stable. Actions: RA=Recovery Action; 1st # = priority; 2nd # = task no. 

FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12 FY13 Costs Res

Not

Complete reintroduction study previously funded with FY08 national recovery initiative preventing extinction funds (PVE) at $50,000 and FY 09 $35,000 PVE funds.  RA: 1-22 ; RA: 2-251 ; RA: 2-252, 2-2521, 2-2522, 3-2531; RA: 1-24 ; RA: 2-25 

X X $85,000 

Contracted 

FWWilCom(Zoo

Complete reintroduction of PKBM to Perdido Key State Park and other lands as determined. Funding needed for wild and captive genetic determinations and survival of reintroduced mice. Project may need to be phased because of funding needs. FY09 work-planning. RA: 3-12 ; RA: 2-1221 ; RA:2-2533 

X X X $35,000 

Genetics $75,000 reintroduction work and studies needed 

FWConand 

Continue feral cat and predator control on X X X X X $75,000/yr USD
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public lands, on Perdido Key ($15,000 each year). Preventing extinction funds received in FY09. RA: 2-1213; RA: 2-341; RA: 2-34 

21,000 contracted in FY09 

(conDepEnvand 

Continue to work with County to adopt beachfront lighting ordinance which will reduce nighttime lighting of the dunes and scrub habitat of the PKBM (draft ordinance reviewed by Service). RA:3-1215 

 X $0 

Service inkind 

Esca

Revise Recovery Plan, the 1987 Recovery Plan should be revised and updated to reflect the current status and threats to the PKBM, and recovery criteria, objectives, and tasks should be developed. 

 X X $35,000 

Total needed 

FWcont

Emergency Response Plan, a contingency plan 

should be developed to outline actions taken in case of severe threats to the persistence of PKBM (i.e., forecasted category 5 hurricane, feral cat population increase, population crash). RA: 3-4 (oil spills only)

 X $10,000 

Total needed 

FWcont

Appropriate parcels for land acquisition should 

be identified using LIDAR data (to identify high-elevation habitat) and current knowledge of PKBM movements and habitat use. The Service in concert with the state and County staff has identified potential parcels that would benefit the recovery of the PKBM.  RA: 1-1223; RA:2-131; RA: 1-14 

 X X X X $500,000 – 

10 millionTotal needed 

FWEscaFlorLanCousect

Outreach and education, opportunities to convey the importance of coastal dune habitat to the public should be sought after and pursued. Additional “Share the Shore” signs were purchased by the Service. In addition, an 

X Funded by the Co. 

X Funded by the Co. 

X Funded by the Co. 

 $25,000 

Total needed for outreach plan 

Esca
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outreach/education program focused on the threats feral cats pose to wildlife should also 

be developed. Most of this is to be conducted 

under Perdido Key-wide ITP (if issued). RA: 3-313; RA:2-33 

Research should be conducted to investigate 

the effectiveness of corridors currently set aside in HCPs. Studies should determine the minimum dimensions needed by PKBM to ensure movement of individuals and genetic exchange through corridors.

 X X X $65,000 

Total needed 

Con

Hurricane response studies, One project is underway to determine how beach mice recolonize areas after storm events (funded by Daphne and Panama City Field Offices). Further research should be implemented to determine the response of beach mice to storm events. This may include placing transmitters on beach mice immediately prior to a hurricane event to determine whether (or to what extent) beach mice retreat to the scrub dunes, remain in their burrows, or perish. RA: 1-11 

X X X $50,000 – 

$300,000 Total needed 

FW

Translocation, Multiple populations of PKBM are crucial for its long-term persistence. Plans should be developed to translocate PKBM to GSP if that population is found to be extirpated, and feral cat and other threats have been minimized or removed. RA: 2-1221; RA: 1-22; RA: 1-24 

X X X X X $35,000 

Total; onetime cost for first year needed 

FWcont

Habitat restoration using sand fencing and/or application of fertilizer have yielded greater vegetative cover and greater densities of beach 

X Funded 

Assistance provided thru PVE 

FW
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mice. Current project to be done at Gulf Islands National Seashore. RA: 2-1222 

funds $27,500 for fertilizer project 

Habitat restoration as needed but particularly after hurricanes or other significant weather events using vegetation planting. RA: 2-1222 

X X X X X $25,000 per 

year if needed or $125,000 total needed. 

FW

The State greenhouse project should be continued to conduct research on cultivating and to produce commercially unavailable vegetation for dune restoration of PKBM habitats. RA:2-1222

X Funded 

X X X X $10,000 per 

year. New funds $40,000 total needed. Previous Greenhouse project provided via post hurricane funds; total $200,000 – not all work on Perdido Key 

FlorEnv

Research on the effects of artificial lighting on beach mice should be undertaken. The research should focus on the different types of now considered “wildlife lighting lamps” and how beach mice breeding, foraging and movement behavior and home range. RA:1-11 

 X X 25,000 

Total needed 

FWcont

Ongoing and Future Conservation Actions 

Responsible Party Estimated Cost 
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Monitoring of PKBM on public lands (continuing) RA:1-231 

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission $35,000/ yr neede

Completion of HCP and application of a Perdido Key-wide ITP by Escambia County (in progress) RA:2-15 

Escambia County, ($460,000) assistance provided thru section 6 grant ($492,000) 

$656,000 

Role of other Agencies: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will play a key role in monitoring providing the staff for reintroduction of beach mice. The National Park Service and Florida Department of Environ

play important roles in approvals and providing staff to assist in the reintroduction efforts as well as feral cat and othefforts as they own the public lands on which we intend to capture mice, reintroduce them, and provide predator conwill be involved in all of the actions but in particular in approving a lighting ordinance to reduce the threat of nighttRole of Other ESA Programs: We are in the process of negotiating a Perdido Key-wide Habitat Conservation Pla

and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. We have numerous small development HCP’s in vari

development and one section 7 consultation for a large proposed development project. Role of Other FWS Programs: None Revised Action Plan Due: July 2014