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.
Do Mink Still Occur in New Mexico?
Following is a selected project highlight from the Share with Wildlife mission to assist all New Mexico wildlife in need, no matter what species. Do Mink Still Occur in New Mexico? American mink. (Patrick Reijnders) Does the American mink still occur in New Mexico? If so, where? How is the habitat looking in the places where they were last known to be? These are some of the questions that Brian Long, Jon Klingel, and Marty Peale (doing business as Peregrinations) were trying to answer with their extensive camera-trapping survey across northern New Mexico in 2021. The American Mink is listed as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in the State Wildlife Action Plan for New Mexico, but it’s possible that the species should actually be considered as extirpated (i.e., no longer occurring) in the state. Mink in New Mexico were at the southern margin of their range [...]
Agencies and volunteers gather over 750 pounds of trash near Mesilla Dam
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027 tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 22, 2022: Agencies and volunteers gather over 750 pounds of trash near Mesilla Dam Mesilla – Multiple public land user groups gathered June 18 to clean up areas with a high amount of illegal dumping and Off-highway Vehicle (OHV) use. Staff and volunteers from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Friends of the Organ Mountain Desert Peaks, Bureau of Land Management and Throat Punch Performance SXS cleaned areas west of Mesilla Dam in southern New Mexico. Over 750 pounds of trash were gathered, including mattresses, box springs, aluminum cans, glass and yard debris. "Friends of Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks were excited to help clean up our public lands with our valued agency partners and community members. We look forward to more events like this and [...]
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@dgf.nm.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 15, 2022: Public reminded to leave young wildlife alone SANTA FE – Spring is the time of year when most wildlife 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 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 mother is typically a few hundred yards away,” Duvuvuei said. [...]
Drought conditions increase chance of encountering bears
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027 tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 13, 2022: Drought conditions increase chance of encountering bears SANTA FE – Due to drought conditions throughout the state, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is urging residents to be aware of the increased chances of encountering bears and other wildlife. “The state has experienced less than average precipitation for this time of the year, which means that bears may be in search of other food sources”, said Rick Winslow, bear and cougar biologist with the Department. “Droughts historically have led to a lot of bear conflict, not only at camping and picnic sites, but also in more populated areas.” “For bears, almost all of their food resources, such as green grasses and forbs — flowering and grass-like plants — are sustained by moisture,” [...]
New Mexicans encouraged to give space to wildlife affected by New Mexico fires
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027 tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MAY 12, 2022: New Mexicans encouraged to give space to wildlife affected by New Mexico fires SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish encourages the public to be mindful of wildlife displaced by fires. Like humans, wild animals are also fleeing wildfires burning around the state. Wildlife is incredibly resilient to fire, but need space to find new habitat while the fire is burning. It is normal during wildfires to see wildlife in areas where they do not typically occur. There is no need to report these sightings to the Department. However, if wildlife appears to be injured, please contact local conservation officers through the New Mexico State Police non-emergency number at (505) 841-9256. The Department recommends you do not feed, approach or handle wildlife. [...]