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.
Project proposals sought for Share with Wildlife funding in FY 2025
As of April 1, 2024, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s (Department’s) Share with Wildlife program will begin accepting proposals for projects with a planned start date on or after January 15, 2025. All project proposals are due by 4:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time on Friday, May 31, 2024. The Department’s Share with Wildlife program was initiated in the early 1980s and welcomes proposals for wildlife-focused projects taking place in New Mexico in four categories: habitat enhancement, biological and ecological research, wildlife rehabilitation, and wildlife education. The program receives an average of about 30 proposals annually and has consistently funded approximately 9 - 11 projects each year. This year, the Department is aiming to fund fewer, larger projects that may extend for 2 years maximum (see details below). Project topics of particular interest to the Department, details about proposal format, and submission directions are listed in the Call [...]
Public’s help sought in Bandelier poaching case
United States park rangers at Bandelier National Monument and conservation officers from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish are seeking the public’s help with identifying those responsible for illegally killing a bull elk within monument boundaries. The elk pictured was killed between the early hours of Thursday, Sept. 28, and Friday, Sept. 29. The incident occurred on State Road 4 between mile markers 45 and 44 on the north side of the road, approximately one-half mile east of the Cerro Grande Trailhead within Bandelier National Monument. “Poaching is a crime that affects all of the people of New Mexico,” said Col. Tim Cimbal with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s Field Operations Division. “Poachers steal wildlife from the people of our state.” If you have information about this incident that could help investigators, please call the Bandelier Crime Tip Line at 505-709-0077. Though you may remain anonymous, up to $5,000 [...]
How are Rare Terrestrial Snails Faring?
Project Highlight: How are Rare Terrestrial Snails Faring? Mineral Creek mountainsnail. (Eric Wallace) How many rare snails can still be found in locations where they used to occur? Are there certain sources of disturbance likely to negatively impact these snails? These are some of the questions that Eric Wallace tried to answer during surveys carried out in very rugged, remote parts of southwestern New Mexico in 2020 and 2021. This work was completed in partnership with the Share with Wildlife program at the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (Department). The geographic ranges of many of the terrestrial snails in New Mexico, especially those listed as Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) in the State Wildlife Action Plan for New Mexico, are somewhat restricted with some species only being found in a single, isolated mountain range or even within a single canyon of a mountain range. [...]
Moose Captured in Downtown Santa Fe
SANTA FE – A bull moose was captured this morning by Department staff and City of Santa Fe Animal Services Officers near the intersection of Grant Avenue and Rosario Boulevard. The moose has been successfully relocated to suitable habitat in northern New Mexico. According to Colonel Tim Cimbal, the Department received a call from Animal Services at approximately 8:10 this morning reporting a moose near Fort Marcy Park in Santa Fe. Officers soon tracked the animal to the intersection of Grant Avenue and Rosario Boulevard and set up a perimeter to protect the safety of residents and pedestrians in this popular walking area. The moose had progressively moved closer to urban areas, exposing it to hazards like moving vehicles and fence entanglement. It also showed little fear of humans or pets, creating concern for resident safety. Moose regularly exhibit aggression towards humans and pets, especially bulls during the rut or [...]