In 1993, California's thumb-sized Pacific pocket mouse was rediscovered after being thought extinct; 33 years later, 530+ have been reintroduced and a third reintroduced population established

• In 1993, California's pocket mouse was rediscovered; 33 years later, 530+ have been reintroduced (Image Credit: San Diego Wildlife Alliance)A mouse once written off as extinct is now being given a fresh chance to survive in the wild.
• The Pacific pocket mouse, a tiny mammal native to Southern California, was rediscovered in 1993 after being considered extinct for decades.
• Since then, conservationists have worked to rebuild its numbers through breeding, habitat restoration and carefully planned releases.