Current work in wildlife, rivers, public lands, and climate

SANTA FE, NM—On April 1, “Roxy’s Law” goes into effect banning traps, snares, and poisons across New Mexico public lands. The law, which was over 15 years in the making, represents a huge win for wildlife protection, public lands, and safety for outdoor recreationists. It encompasses nearly 32 million acres with a few common sense exemptions.

“This law is a monumental step in terms of moving New Mexico’s wildlife management into accord with public values, the best available science, and a growing ethic of coexistence,” said Chris Smith, southwest wildlife advocate for WildEarth Guardians. “Wildlife is so important to our state–from ecological, cultural, and even  economic perspectives. This law represents a shift towards recognizing that importance and moving away from seeing wildlife as something only to be killed en masse and sold on the cheap.”

“Traps and poisons are simply incompatible with public use,” said Mary Katherine Ray, wildlife chair for the Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club. “The prohibition on their use, including cage traps, will stop the cruelty and exploitation inflicted on wildlife for the private profit in selling their skins. This exploitation is antithetical to conservation and has served no wildlife management need.”

“Finally, all New Mexicans and visitors can celebrate safe public lands for their families, companion animals and the wildlife with which we share the Land of Enchantment,” stated Michelle Lute, PhD in wildlife conservation and national carnivore conservation manager for Project Coyote. “Now that archaic and ineffective traps and poisons are rightfully retired, we can work together to help each other truly coexist with wildlife and protect the lands and waters so important to us all.”

“Our meadows and canyons will no longer be scenes of prolonged animal pain and desperate attempts by people to save their pets,” said Michael Robinson of the Center for Biological Diversity. “Instead, more folks will glow with memories of a bobcat poised to pounce or a fox scampering away.  Fur trapping will eventually be viewed with the same distaste now held for a past era’s entirely unregulated wildlife poisoning. The Land of Enchantment is helping to lead the way.”