The Legal Challenge

ANIMAL PROTECTION OF NEW MEXICO, THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES, AND NEW MEXICO CITIZENS APPEAL THE STATE GAME COMMISSION’S COUGAR TRAPPING RULE

The fight for New Mexico’s wildlife continues! Animal Protection New Mexico (APNM) and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) have joined concerned New Mexicans in filing legal action in state and federal courts challenging the expansion of trapping and mortality of cougars in the 2016 Bear & Cougar Rule (or “Cougar Rule”) approved by the New Mexico State Game Commission on August 27, 2015.

To recap, the Game Commission ruled unanimously to allow:

• Cougar trapping using leg-hold traps and snares on state trust lands, totaling 9 million acres in New Mexico
• The removal of the NMDGF permit requirement for landowners to use traps and snares to kill cougars
• One person to kill up to four cougars in the majority of game species management zones, where current unjustifiably high cougar harvest levels are not being met.

In its state case, APNM argues that the Commission failed to consider adequate and reliable science and the indiscriminate nature of traps and snares significantly threatens non-target companion animals, hunting dogs, endangered species, and other protected wildlife. In the federal case, APNM asserts that expanded trapping not only results in cruelty to targeted cougars, but it also poses a clear threat to non-target endangered species like Mexican wolves and jaguars. For more details on both the state and federal actions, please read our latest press release.

APNM is committed to finishing this fight to protect New Mexico cougars, and we hope you are, too. You can help us stand up for wildlife – donations to this cause will help use fight ensure responsible, science-based wildlife management practices.

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