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.
Modifying Wildlife Activities for Learning from Home
Following is a selected project highlight from the Share with Wildlife mission to assist all New Mexico wildlife in need, no matter what species. Modifying Wildlife Activities for Learning from Home Santa Fe Public School students birding at Randall Davey Audubon Center in Fall 2019. (Katie Weeks) What is an “adaptation” and how are birds adapted to different environments and to eat different things? What are the key elements of an animal’s “habitat” and how can you make your own backyard more appealing to wildlife? This spring, Audubon New Mexico used Share with Wildlife funds to produce workbooks that students could work through at home to learn about and answer these questions and more. Audubon New Mexico had started the spring semester planning to update their Outdoor Field Science curriculum to better align with the Public Education Department’s STEM Ready! Science Standards. They were then going to have [...]
Department cautions homeowners be aware of increased bear activity in the foothills around Santa Fe
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, JULY 10, 2020: Department cautions homeowners be aware of increased bear activity in the foothills around Santa Fe SANTA FE – Due to multiple sightings of bears, including a sow and cubs, in the foothills of Santa Fe between Canyon Road and Highway 285, homeowners are reminded to remove bird feeders, store trash in a secured location and never leave pet food in a space where a bear can access it. Director Mike Sloane warns while “some may view this as a unique opportunity to view wildlife; it is very important to follow our guidelines to keep yourself and bears safe.” The Department strongly urges you to avoid approaching a bear or getting between the mother and her cubs. Conservation officer Manny Overby said, “Approaching [...]
Engaging Students in Studying Wildlife in the Face of COVID-19
Following is a selected project highlight from the Share with Wildlife mission to assist all New Mexico wildlife in need, no matter what species. Engaging Students in Studying Wildlife in the Face of COVID-19 Santa Fe Indian School students on field trip in March 2020. (Rich Schrader) How many different animals can you find in your backyard or neighborhood? What is the quality of the habitat along a river near where you live or where you and your family like to visit? What can you find out about the biology of, current and desired future conservation actions for, and threats faced by Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN), especially those found in riparian areas (i.e., habitat next to rivers), in New Mexico? This spring and early summer, River Source used Share with Wildlife funds to work with students and teachers at three schools in northern New Mexico, [...]
Department expands black bear population estimate survey into the Gila National Forest
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, JUNE 12, 2020: Department expands black bear population estimate survey into the Gila National Forest SANTA FE – During the summer of 2020, Department biologists and conservation officers will be starting a two-year black bear population estimate study using hair snares in the Gila National Forest. Bear hair snares are a modern study technique designed to collect DNA and allow biologists to identify the number of bears in an area. Starting in early June, Department biologists and conservation officers will set up the hair snares across the Gila National Forest. The hair snares will consist of strands of barbed wire stretched across an area with bait in the middle. As bears duck under or step over the wire a small amount of hair will be collected. Elise [...]
Game and Fish relocate sow and three cubs
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, JUNE 10, 2020: Game and Fish relocate sow and three cubs LOS ALAMOS – New Mexico Department of Game and Fish conservation officers captured a female bear with three cubs found roaming in Los Alamos and successfully relocated them to western New Mexico. A concerned resident called the Department last week about the bears raiding neighborhood dumpsters. Seven conservation officers worked around the clock over several days to ensure the capture and safe relocation of the sow and her cubs. The bears found food in garbage cans and were in danger of becoming habituated to being fed in neighborhoods. All of the bears are healthy and have not been captured in the past. “Our officers did a great job safely catching these bears,” said Director Mike Sloane. [...]