Tiny mice could be environmental saviors
Scientists at the Chicago zoo are raising meadow jumping mice and releasing them into the wild to help restore dwindling Midwestern prairies.
Right now, biologists there say only one percent of historical prairie grasslands remain in Illinois. Scientists hope that mice will help to restore life and vitality to the prairie lands.
Once the mice reach adulthood, researchers anesthetize them and attach tiny radio collars so they can track their movements in the natural habitat.
She and other scientists released several mice in late July at the Rollins Savanna forest preserve in Lake County. They hope the mice will mate and distribute the grassland seeds they eat to help spread plant life.
Trackers will likely find that some mice will end up as food for owls, coyotes and other predators.
"We need to restore certain wildlife species in order to keep the ecosystem functioning," she says.