Animal Protection of New Mexico

40 years of positive change.

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Promoting Coexistence with Wildlife

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Animal Protection of New Mexico serves as a voice for wildlife—not only as a group of species who our citizens coexist with in both rural and urban settings, but also as individual animals deserving of humane treatment just like the dogs and cats New Mexicans share their homes with.

Certain keystone species—like beavers, prairie dogs, coyotes and cougars—are particularly important to New Mexico’s ecosystem and have been persecuted throughout history as our communities grow and develop into habitat areas. Some of our state’s most treasured native wild species have nearly been driven to extinction in the past. Additionally, non-native exotic wildlife, like those used in traveling circus acts, also suffer unspeakable cruelty in the name of so-called entertainment.

APNM has a long history of protecting the populations of these and other important wild animals, charging down a steady path toward humane coexistence.

Clearly, protecting keystone species and other magnificent animals requires the lengthiest view possible and constant persistence—and APNM is here for the long haul. See a summary of our victories »

Cougar Smart New Mexico

Cougars are rarely seen but are ever-present carnivores in mountainous regions from Canada to South America.

Beavers as a Keystone Species

Beavers (Castor canadensis) are the largest rodent species in North America and weigh 40 to 60 pounds.

What to do with orphaned, sick or injured wildlife

Many wild animals are cute, especially babies, and it might be tempting to try and care for one on your own.

USDA Wildlife Services

With the annexation of the West to the United States in the 19th Century, millions of non-native cattle and sheep were introduced to the ecosystem.

Some of our victories include:

1993
  • Launched a campaign exposing unacceptable levels of taxpayer-funded wildlife extermination by the federal agency Animal Damage Control, now euphemistically called Wildlife Services
1994
  • Defeated efforts to increase Wildlife Services funding from the state
  • Helped expose bird deaths in private oil and gas operations
1996
  • Sued the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to stop a planned trophy hunt of bison
  • Succeeded in reducing state funding of Wildlife Services
  • Exposed Wildlife Services’ illegal use of poisons to kill coyotes in the Gila National Forest, leading to the agency being fined for the first time (a $1,000 fine)
1997
  • Exposed King Royal Circus’ mistreatment of circus animals, leading to the circus’s loss of license and a $200,000 fine (largest fine ever levied by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture at the time)
1998
  • Convinced the State Game Commission to establish cougar quotas and zone management
1999
  • Passed a law making extreme animal cruelty (including wildlife) a felony
  • Ghost Ranch Living Museum (a roadside zoo with native wildlife) closed after the publication of our stinging report about animal neglect and abuse
  • The Santa Fe Lions Club agreed not to use animals in circuses
2000
  • Ensured that wild animal circuses are not allowed on City of Albuquerque property due to animal abuse
2003
  • Persuaded NM Game & Fish to cancel a coyote killing program for deer management
  • Launched the Beavers Belong! initiative
  • Ensured that Sterling & Reid Circus was not allowed to perform at Tingley Coliseum due to cruelty record, and another circus was denied entry to the state
2004
  • Chaired the Tijeras Canyon Safe Passages Coalition to create safe passages for wildlife where highways bisect habitat; The Dept. of Transportation approved the safe passages recommendations in Tijeras Canyon in 2015
2006
  • Developed a statewide poll showing 63% of New Mexicans support banning traps on public lands
  • Held a Beavers Belong! training and flow device installation in Taos County
  • Started Tijeras Canyon safe passages improvements
2007
  • In the wake of vocal opposition and other negative effects, got the Alamogordo rattlesnake roundup ended
2008
  • Secured greater protections for female cougars
  • Abolished decades-old preemptive cougar killing program
2010
  • Published the Landowner’s Guide to Non-Lethal Beaver Solutions
  • Launched Cougar Smart New Mexico
  • Cougar hunter education became a requirement
2011
  • Joined other partners in launching the TrapFree New Mexico coalition and campaign
2013
  • Introduced bills to ban wildlife killing contests, and to restrict traps and poisons on public lands
2014
  • Helped local advocates pass ordinances against trapping in Los Alamos County and Jemez Springs
  • Trained activists in six communities in advocacy, with a focus on wildlife protection legislation
2015
  • Launched the Stop Cougar Trapping campaign
  • Commissioned a poll showing New Mexicans oppose trapping by a stunning 3 to 1 margin
  • Pushed a bill to ban coyote killing contests to pass the New Mexico Senate (became the first state to pass a killing contest ban through any legislative chamber)
2016
  • Sued the NM Dept. of Game & fish and the State Game Commission—in both state and federal court—in response to the unscientific and unethical “Cougar Rule” allowing recreational cougar trapping and for violating the Endangered Species Act (harming endangered Mexican wolves)
  • Persuaded the Santa Fe County Commission to reject a proposal to kill beavers on the Santa Fe River
2017
  • Successfully lobbied the City of Santa Fe to ban wild and exotic animal acts, such as wild animal circuses.
  • Pushed the bill to ban coyote killing contests further than ever, through the NM Senate and all House Committees.
  • The State Game Commission’s motions to dismiss the federal cougar trapping lawsuit was denied by the judge—twice!
  • Developed legislation to challenge the automatic euthanasia of wildlife defending themselves, acting naturally when threatened

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Animal Protection of New Mexico is looking for energetic, enthusiastic individuals to join our lifesaving work for animals on a volunteer basis. Apply today and discover opportunities that fit with your interests and schedule!

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We would love to hear from you. Reach out to us and let us know how we can help you. We love to hear new ideas about how we can help New Mexico’s animals and be better advocates for them. Please reach out to us.

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