Black bears—long associated with New Mexico via the legend of Smokey from the Lincoln National Forest—are facing some of the most challenging conditions for wildlife in the state’s history. While some of the most versatile foragers in the animal kingdom, a perfect storm of negative factors—food shortages, drought, wildfire, human encroachment, and unforgiving wildlife management—has led to bears desperate for food.
As
reported in the ABQ Journal, these bears are increasingly entering human habitation and paying for it, often with their lives. This year, NM Department of Game & Fish (NMDGF) reports the highest levels of “problem” bears killed since 2006, either exterminated by landowners or euthanized by NMDGF, with over 170 bear deaths reported. This is an appalling decimation of vital bear populations, in many cases from easily avoidable conflicts with landowners.
APNM &
Sandia Mountain Bearwatch urge homeowners to follow some easy tips to reduce conflict with hungry bears, including removing or
bear-proofing bird feeders, securely storing garbage, and cleaning barbeque grills. More info
here and
here. Homeowners should realize that calls about a “problem bear” to NMDGF should not take the place of common sense practices, as outlined above. That’s because the process of removal and transport of bears is traumatic and sometimes deadly for the animals.
Along with personal responsibility, we must also maintain vigilance on the state’s wildlife management, which has recently undertaken unscientific and unjustified policies against bears. Last fall, APNM joined the widespread public outcry against state wildlife managers recklessly
increasing bear hunting quotas. Using questionable population assumptions, NMDGF and the Game Commission raised the yearly hunter kill limits for bears from 406 to 686, including 303 females. In a year when all bears and cubs are struggling for survival, increased hunting is irresponsible, and further eradication of females could spell population collapse. As a recent editorial in the
Albuquerque Journal (“Reconsider Kill Limits for State’s Black Bears”, 8/26/11) stated, “The commission should reconsider its decision in light of the facts on the ground” - please join us in
contacting the Game Commission to call for reduction of bear hunting quotas during this season and in coming years.
With your help, we can ensure that New Mexico co-exists with black bears and that this vital animal and symbol of the West remains.
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