Animal found along San Diego coastline may gain protection as endangered species

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) -- The Pacific pocket mouse, one of California’s smallest and rarest native mammals, has moved one step closer to permanent state protection. Last week, the California Fish and Game Commission voted unanimously to list the species as a candidate under the California Endangered Species Act. • The Nexstar Media video above explains the difference between threatened and endangered species and how its decided

The decision follows a petition by the Center for Biological Diversity, which urged the commission to classify the mouse as either threatened or endangered. As a candidate species, the Pacific pocket mouse will now receive temporary protections while the California Department of Fish and Wildlife conducts a yearlong review to determine whether permanent l