The Problem
The
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) is responsible for
managing wildlife in our state. However, this agency currently lacks
the funding to effectively manage the many wildlife species in New
Mexico that need attention. Currently, the NMDGF manages game animals
(species with hunting seasons, such as deer, turkey, and cougar),
as well as nongame animals such as state-listed endangered species.
However, management plans for some of these animals lack the funding
needed to make them successful. In addition, there are many "Species
of Concern" (i.e., candidates for a threatened or endangered
status) that need attention. Unfortunately, the NMDGF lacks funds
to employ additional biologists needed to monitor and create management
plans for these animals.
In some cases, the
NMDGF also lacks the mandate to manage certain wildlife species.
An excellent example of this is the western diamondback rattlesnake.
The NMDGF does not have the authority to regulate the hunting of
this snake. However, because it is often collected for the Alamogordo
Rattlesnake Roundup, as well as other commercial purposes,
it only makes sense that the hunting of western diamondbacks should be regulated by the NMDGF. Without regulation, there is no reliable
way to measure the effects of hunting on New Mexico’s western
diamondback population.
A Feasible Solution
It has become clear
that the conservation of New Mexico’s wildlife, and the habitats
in which they live, will only be successful if adequate funding
is available. Animal Protection of New Mexico is leading the charge,
and working with the Alliance for New Mexico
Wildlife, to increase funding allocations from the state legislature
to the Department of Game and Fish. In a statewide poll conducted
last year, the majority of New Mexico voters agreed that an increase
in funding for the conservation of natural resources such as wildlife
and land is important.
Species
of Concern
A few examples are listed below. Some of these species
are currently being monitored or managed by the NMDGF; most are
not. For an entire list of species and their status, download New Mexico Species of Concer PDF Report.
Desert Bighorn Sheep
Eastern Red
Bat
Gunnison's Prairie
Dog
Jaguar
Mexican Gray
Wolf
Sandhill White-tailed
Deer
Swift Fox
Southwestern
River Otter
Aplomado Falcon
Bald Eagle
Brown Pelican
Burrowing Owl
Gila Woodpecker
Lesser Prairie-Chicken
Mexican Spotted
Owl
Violet-crowned
Hummingbird
Chihuahua Catfish
Gila Trout
Pecos Pupfish
Rio Grande Cutthroat
Trout
Chiricahua Leopard
Frog
Colorado River
Toad
Jemez Mountains
Salamander
Northern Leopard
Frog
Desert Kingsnake
Mexican Garter
Snake
Mottled Rock
Rattlesnake
Texas Horned
Lizard Sand Dune Lizard
Alliance
for New Mexico Wildlife
The Alliance
for New Mexico Wildlife is a coalition of nonprofit environmental,
wildlife, and animal protection organizations formed for the purpose
of finding additional funding for wildlife and habitat conservation.
Mission
Statement
The Alliance
for New Mexico Wildlife’s mission is to strengthen and support
the laws, institutions and practices necessary for the sound stewardship
and management of all the state’s wildlife. To accomplish this, the alliance will work to establish a reliable funding mechanism for wildlife conservation in New Mexico.
Member
Groups:
Animal Protection of New Mexico,
Inc.
Defenders of Wildlife
National Audubon Society
New Mexico Sportsmen
New Mexico Wildlife Federation
Sierra Club
Southwest Environmental Center
Sandia Mountain BearWatch
Other Articles:
Vanishing
Wildlife of New Mexico — A Legacy of Neglect
by James A. Bailey, PhD
Examples
of Successful Funding Measures in Other States
A
GUIDE FOR WILDLIFE STEWARDS (PDF)
Photo credits:
Black Bear: USFWS/Mike Bender
Cougar: USFWS/Larry Moats
Jaguar: USFWS/Gary Stolz
Desert Bighorn Sheep: USFWS/Peter Carboni
Gila Woodpecker: USFWS/Lynn Llewellen
Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout: USFWS/Lloyde Hazzard
Mexican Wolf: USFWS/Jim Clark
Prairie Dog: USFWS/Claire Dobert
Texas Horned Lizard: USFWS/Gary Stolz
Spotted Owl: USFWS/Karen Hollingsworth
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