Habitat loss and fragmentation threaten the endangered San Bernardino kangaroo rat (Dipodomys merriami parvus; SBKR), a nocturnal rodent restricted to open alluvial fan sage scrub habitats in southern California. Wildlife corridors are commonly used to restore habitat connectivity for small mammals, yet they may also facilitate predator movement, potentially increasing encounter rates and heightening localized predation risk. Because kangaroo rats are key prey for multiple species, identifying corridor designs that promote dispersal without increasing predation risk is critical for recovery. In collaboration with landowners, we experimentally restored linear corridors and stepping-stone patches to connect SBKR populations to restored habitat using surface scraping, sediment addition, and herbicide treatments. We continuously monitored wildlife activity using infrared cameras over more than a year. We compared predator and prey detections, diel activity patterns, and spatial overlap of SBKR and their predators across corridors. Our findings reveal how predators and prey partition space and time within restored landscapes, informing design principles that balance connectivity benefits with predation risk in recovery planning for SBKR and other small mammals.

Paige Miller is an early career professional and a Research Associate at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Biology at Idaho State University, where she studied Trumpeter Swan nesting ecology. Paige’s research interests are in animal behavior and ecology, and their applications in conservation. Since 2022, she has broadened her experience to include small mammals, working primarily with rodents including the endangered San Bernardino kangaroo rat.