New Mexicans Refuse to Give up the Fight Against Cougar Trapping
On March 15, 2016, Animal Protection New Mexico (APNM) announced its appeal of the State Game Commission’s approval of deadly cougar trapping proposals. Then, on June 27, 2016, APNM filed a federal lawsuit to protect endangered species from expanded cougar trapping. Click here to learn more about the legal challenges and learn how you can help.
NM Game & Fish’s Proposal is a War on Cougars
The New Mexico Department of Game & Fish (NMDGF) has outlined extreme new proposals for mass killing of our state’s cougar population without adequate justification based on biological science.
NMDGF’s final proposal seeks to remove the permit requirement for using traps and foot snares to kill cougars on any private land. Traps are cruel and dangerous and no other state (other than Texas) “manages” cougars in this manner. NMDGF offers no scientific basis for its decision and has not explained how it will protect cougar mothers and kittens from deadly traps, even though the killing of both is illegal in our state.
NMDGF also bowed to the State Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn by including in its final proposal an unprecedented and unjustifiable request to allow cougar trapping on all 9 million acres of state trust lands that benefit public institutions in New Mexico.
Finally, without citing any scientific evidence to justify a need for more cougar kills, or the ability for our state’s cougar population to withstand additional killing, NMDGF proposes to increase the bag limit from 2 to 4 in certain cougar management zones.
You Can Make a Difference!
- Sign the Petition – Add your voice to the thousands of compassionate individuals opposing these destructive management changes
- Get Involved to Protect Cougars
