Enforcement News
Here is the latest in conservation enforcement news & press releases from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. For Operation Game Thief there is a list of solved cases and cold cases. And see the Featured Officer page for Officer of the Month and Career Advancement news.
Department-wide news can be found under Home → NMDGF News.
Game wardens save family stranded on island at Abiquiu Lake
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact: Karl Moffatt: (505) 476-8007 karl.moffatt@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, June 30, 2016: Game wardens save family stranded on island at Abiquiu Lake ABIQUIU – New Mexico Department of Game and Fish officers rescued a Santa Fe family of six left stranded on an island at Abiquiu Lake after their boat swamped during an outing Tuesday. The two adults and four children were saved after New Mexico State Police radio dispatch received a distress call by cellphone from the family that evening. The department’s game warden stationed in Espanola, Wyatt Harwell, responded to the call with his powerboat and two other officers. The officers found the stranded family and loaded them onboard. They also drained the family’s boat and towed it back to the boat ramp. “The parents did a great job of getting the kids to [...]
Department of Game and Fish employees lauded for their work
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact: Karl Moffatt: (505) 476-8007 karl.moffatt@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, June 30, 2016: Department of Game and Fish employees lauded for their work SANTA FE – New Mexico Department of Game and Fish employees were recognized for outstanding job performance at a recent meeting of the State Game Commission in Santa Rosa. Employees of the department’s six fish hatcheries were recognized at the commission’s June 23 meeting for their combined effort to provide plenty of fish for anglers to catch. Also noted was a new hatchery program which produces bigger trout that has proven popular with many anglers. Roddy Gallegos, the department’s assistant chief of fisheries, was recognized for his leadership and oversight of hatchery staff implementing the program. Other employees recognized for outstanding job performance in their fields were: George Farmer, a wildlife specialist and conservation [...]
Missing bear cubs caught Saturday
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact: Lance Cherry: (505) 476-8003 lance.cherry@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 26, 2016: Missing bear cubs caught Saturday JEMEZ MOUNTAINS, NM – Exactly one week after an adult female black bear was euthanized following an attack on a woman participating in a marathon event on the Valles Caldera National Preserve near Los Alamos, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish conservation officers dispatched the message so many were hoping to hear, “We’ve got them. We caught the cubs!” Last Thursday, a National Park Service (NPS) biologist spotted the cubs and contacted the Department. Officers responded only to find they had once again managed to slip away. Over the next few days, efforts increased to find the cubs and on Saturday, it paid off when the Department’s tracker and an officer located the cubs. Using dogs, the [...]
Bear responsible for attack on Valles Caldera marathon runner caught; euthanized
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact: Lance Cherry: (505) 476-8003 lance.cherry@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 19, 2016: Bear responsible for attack on Valles Caldera marathon runner caught; euthanized JEMEZ – New Mexico Department of Game and Fish conservation officers tracked and killed an adult female black bear that attacked a woman Saturday afternoon while she was participating in a marathon event on the Valles Caldera National Preserve near Los Alamos. The bear is to be transported to the state Veterinary Diagnostic Services center for necropsy. State law requires any wild animal that attacks or bites a human be euthanized and tested for rabies which is spread when an infected animal scratches or bites another animal or human. Although it is rare, rabies is nearly 100 percent fatal if not properly treated. “It is regrettable when a wildlife encounter results in human [...]
Bear sought in attack on Valles Caldera marathon runner
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact: Lance Cherry: (505) 476-8003 lance.cherry@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 19, 2016: Bear sought in attack on Valles Caldera marathon runner JEMEZ – Department of Game and Fish officers are searching for an adult female black bear that attacked a woman Saturday afternoon while she was participating in a marathon event on the Valles Calderas National Preserve near Los Alamos. According to responding officers, the attack occurred when the victim surprised a mother bear whose cub ran up a nearby tree. Although the full extent of the victim’s injuries are unknown, initial reports indicate that woman was bit and scratched multiple times and sustained non-life threatening injuries to her upper body, head and neck. Nearby joggers provided immediate assistance until additional help could arrive. She was airlifted to an Albuquerque area hospital where she is being [...]