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.
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 [...]
Six new game wardens graduate from law enforcement academy
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 16, 2016: Six new game wardens graduate from law enforcement academy SANTA FE – Six New Mexico Department of Game and Fish game wardens graduated from the Southeastern New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy in Hobbs Wednesday. “This team of new officers have accomplished something special, something the entire department is proud of,” Department Director Alexandra Sandoval said. “Each officer demonstrated the high standard of professionalism, integrity and honor that defines a New Mexico Conservation Officer.” The department’s graduates of the 16-week law enforcement training academy are: David Davis Carla Jo Ehlinger Justin Heppler Jacob Lobato Tyler Twitchell Two officers from this year’s graduating class had noteworthy accomplishments. David Davis graduated at the top of his class of 21 by scoring a total of 96.6 out of [...]
Game and Fish conservation officers busy over holiday weekend
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center, (888) 248-6866 Media contact: Zen Mocarski, (505) 476-8013 zenon.mocarski@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 2, 2016: Game and Fish conservation officers busy over holiday weekend SANTA FE – Memorial Day weekend ushers in a new season, a time of year when tourism begins to blossom, outdoor recreationists take to the field and anglers dust off their rods and reels. Conservation officers with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish spent the weekend educating the public and protecting the state’s resources. They made over 4,000 contacts with the public during more than 900 hours of patrolling. With fishing activity increasing, it is important for anglers to purchase a current license and any required stamps. While the majority of the officers’ contacts did not result in citations, 219 were written, the most common for fishing without a license and not having [...]
Information sought in several northern New Mexico poaching cases
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, April12, 2016 Information sought in several northern New Mexico poaching cases dead elk RATON – New Mexico Department of Game and Fish conservation officers are seeking information in several unsolved poaching cases. Rewards are available for information leading to charges being filed in the following cases. A game warden found a dead cow elk about 80 yards off the south side of N.M. 283, outside of Las Vegas, N.M., March 27. The animal had been shot in the head with a .22-caliber bullet and left to rot. Four .22-caliber shell casings were found at the scene. A month earlier, officers found a dead, bull elk that had been shot and left to rot alongside the same highway on Indian Head Ranch property. Officers collected four shell casings [...]