SANTA FE–In the wake of new and improved cougar management regulations passed last week by the New Mexico Game Commission (Commission), advocates with WildEarth Guardians and Animal Protection of New Mexico are calling for the Department of Game and Fish to expand its program aimed at teaching the public how to safely live and recreate in “cougar country.” Funding for the expansion would come from savings generated because the Commission unanimously voted to scrap a controversial and wasteful program in which a private trapper profited from killing cougars on ranches owned by his family and a handful of neighbors in southeastern New Mexico. The scrapped program cost the Department over $47,000 each year, and advocates are asking that those funds be used to help people learn more about cougars and how to safely coexist with them.
“The money that previously was paid just to one private trapper will finally benefit all New Mexicans. This is a better use of the state’s Game Protection Fund,” said Elisabeth Jennings, Executive Director of Animal Protection of New Mexico.
Cougar attacks on people are extraordinarily rare, but common sense precautions should be taken when sharing the land with cougars.
“New Mexicans value and appreciate wildlife, and they want to know there is a viable population of cougars in the state. By understanding how cougars live and behave, New Mexicans can stay safe while in cougar habitat. Coexistence benefits both people and wildlife,” said Wendy Keefover-Ring, Director of Carnivore Protection for WildEarth Guardians.
The Colorado Division of Wildlife has developed and is already using a cougar co-existence education program that could serve as a model. It involves frequent press releases with savvy tips about living and recreating in “cougar country”, public presentations and the use of education kits that include slide shows, artifacts and curricula for children. The Department’s broad application of the program would keep the public informed and help ensure a robust population of cougars.
Cougar safety tips for the public are available on Animal Protection of New Mexico’s website at http://www.apnm.org/campaigns/cougars/mountain_lions_precautions.php.
