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.
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. [...]
Mexican wolf population gets genetic boost with a record 20 captive-born pups cross-fostered into wild packs
Mexican wolf population gets genetic boost with a record 20 captive-born pups cross-fostered into wild packs PHOENIX – The Mexican wolf recovery effort recently got a genetic boost when biologists from the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF), and Mexican Wolf Species Survival Plan (SSP), with extensive logistical support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), worked together to cross-foster 20 genetically diverse wolf pups from captive facilities across the U.S. into litters of wild wolf packs. Over a six-week period in April and May, 12 pups were fostered into four different packs in eastern Arizona and eight were fostered into three packs in western New Mexico. Cross-fostering is a proven method used by the Mexican Wolf Interagency Field Team (IFT) to increase genetic diversity in the wild Mexican wolf population. It involves placing genetically diverse pups less than 14 days [...]
Public reminded to leave young wildlife alone
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, MAY 20, 2020: Public reminded to leave young wildlife alone SANTA FE – Spring in New Mexico is an exciting time for wildlife. This is the time of year when most babies are born. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish reminds the public to leave alone any deer or antelope fawns, elk calves, bear cubs or other wild animals they may find. Most young-of-the-year wildlife that people discover are simply hiding while awaiting their parents’ return from foraging nearby. Removing these young animals can cost them their lives, Orrin Duvuvuei, Department deer biologist, warned. “For about a week after birth, young wildlife exhibit hiding behaviors to avoid detection and increase their chance for survival. You might think it has been abandoned, but in reality, the [...]