NMDGF Conservation News
The latest conservation news and press releases from New Mexico Game and Fish. Department-wide news can be found under Home → NMDGF News.
Gathering Data on Young Vireos
Following is a selected project highlight from the Share with Wildlife mission to assist all New Mexico wildlife in need, no matter what species. Gathering Data on Young Vireos Juniper savanna at the Sevilleta. (Silas Fischer) Have you ever looked at the pinyon-juniper forests that grace much of northern and central New Mexico and wondered what kind of birds live in them? Have you ever thought about how biologists determine what kind of habitat features are most important to birds when they are selecting a site to build their nest or when young birds have just left the nest? Using funding from the Share with Wildlife program, Dr. Henry Streby and his graduate student, Silas Fischer, from the University of Toledo are helping biologists at New Mexico Department of Game and Fish answer these questions for one inhabitant of the sometimes underappreciated pinyon-juniper woodlands of New Mexico; the [...]
Invasive mussel found in aquarium plants in New Mexico
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027 tristanna.bickford@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 12, 2021: Invasive mussel found in aquarium plants in New Mexico Santa Fe – Invasive zebra mussels have been found in moss balls sold as aquarium plants in pet stores and through online vendors across the state. Any moss balls purchased in New Mexico or online within the last year may pose serious risks to our state’s waterbodies, water systems and wildlife. Retailers and anyone who has recently purchased a moss ball are urged to immediately follow the steps below to protect our waters and wildlife resources. Remove moss ball and any aquarium items and place in a heat safe pot; fill pot with tap water. Bring water to a boil and boil contents for a minimum of one minute. Discard moss ball in the trash; [...]
Wild Population of Mexican Wolves Grows for Fifth Consecutive Year
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Media contact, Aislinn Maestas: 505-331-9280 aislinn_maestas@fws.gov Arizona Game and Fish Department Media Contact, Jackie Follmuth: 928-532-3691 jfollmuth@azgfd.gov New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027 tristanna.bickford@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 12, 2021: Wild Population of Mexican Wolves Grows for Fifth Consecutive Year 2020 survey shows at least 186 wolves across the Southwest SANTA FE – The wild population of Mexican wolves in the United States saw its fifth consecutive year of growth in 2020. According to the recent count, the U.S. population of Mexican wolves has increased by 14% since last year, raising the total number of wolves in the wild to a minimum of 186 animals. From Nov. 2020 through Jan. 2021, the Interagency Field Team (IFT) conducted ground counts in Ariz. and N.M. that concluded with aerial counts of Mexican wolves in [...]
Delving into a Chipmunk’s Life History
Following is a selected project highlight from the Share with Wildlife mission to assist all New Mexico wildlife in need, no matter what species. Delving into a Chipmunk’s Life History Peñasco least chipmunk. (Jim Stuart) When are Peñasco least chipmunks actively moving aboveground, how many survive over winter, and how many are there in the most dense population of this species thus far detected? These are some of the questions that Fiona McKibben, a graduate student at New Mexico State University, and a member of her graduate committee, Dr. Fitsum Abadi Gebreselassie are trying to answer when it comes to their studies of the Peñasco least chipmunk. Peñasco least chipmunk habitat. (Fiona McKibben) Until 2016, this chipmunk species had not been documented in New Mexico since 2000. Given that it is a candidate for federal Endangered Species Act listing, it is important to have information on [...]
Remember to be aware of wild animals along the Bosque
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027 tristanna.bickford@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, FEB 24, 2021: Remember to be aware of wild animals along the Bosque SANTA FE – Due to an increase in recent sightings of coyotes by hikers along the Bosque in the Albuquerque metro area, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish reminds everyone to be mindful and prepared for potential encounters with wild animals. The Bosque along the Rio Grande is an essential corridor for wild animals moving through the Albuquerque metro area. This area provides easy food sources, water, shelter and an escape from pressures that wild animals have as they travel. There are also wild animals that will live their whole life in the Bosque. The corridor, surrounded by houses, schools, shopping centers and restaurants, also offers people and families an escape from [...]