Lynx protection requested in New Mexico

On August 1, Forest Guardians and partner groups filed a petition seeking Endangered Species Act protections for Canada lynx in north-central New Mexico in order to protect the wildcat’s entire Southern Rocky Mountain range. Lynx are protected in neighboring Colorado, but when the exact same animal crosses the state border into New Mexico, as they sometimes do, the protection ends. In an effort to establish and restore a viable population of lynx, the Colorado Department of Wildlife began releasing lynx into a “core recovery area” in southwestern Colorado’s San Juan Mountains in 1999. Lynx released into the core recovery area continue to migrate south along the San Juan Mountains into New Mexico. Despite their imperiled status, at least six lynx have been killed in New Mexico over the last few years.

To learn more, visit the Forest Guardians’ website at: www.fguardians.org or call 505-988-9126.

Animal cruelty taskforce opens new Hotline

Attorney General Gary King, who chairs the newly formed Animal Cruelty Taskforce (ACT), says the new ACT Hotline is up and taking calls. The New Mexico toll-free, 24-hour hotline’s purpose is to take information about animal fighting and extreme cruelty to animals. The number is accessible from anywhere in the state at 888-260-2178.

“People who abuse animals in New Mexico will be prosecuted,” says the Attorney General. “This new hotline gives the public and law enforcement another tool as we work together to ensure compliance with animal protection laws.”

ACT member and spokesperson for Animal Protection of New Mexico, Heather Greenhood, says “Animal fighting is a scourge in our state and contributes to other forms of violent crime. We need all New Mexicans to report any activity that they believe to be connected with any form of animal fighting and help us make their communities safer places for all forms of life.”

Additionally, The Humane Society of the United States has offered a $5,000 reward to individuals whose information leads to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in dog fighting. This information will be handled by the Animal Cruelty Taskforce and taken to the Humane Society for confirmation with law enforcement.

Shooters kill elk, ruin signs, stuff rabbits into mailboxes

—NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISH
Two men who pleaded guilty to poaching a bull elk, shooting holes in ranch and highway signs, and placing dead rabbits in mail boxes agreed to donate $2,000 each to High Country Crime Stoppers in lieu of court fines.

Chaz Pilley 17, and Will Wood, 25, both of Springer, also were sentenced to two years of unsupervised probation after they pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal damage to property, negligent use of a firearm, hunting elk with the aid of artificial light, and unlawful killing of elk. The judge suspended fines of $2,800 each for their promises to donate $2,000 each to Crime Stoppers.

The charges stemmed from a May 2007 investigation by Department of Game and Fish officers Rey Sanchez and Jason Kline. The UU Bar Ranch and the Philmont Scout Ranch near Cimarron reported criminal damage to gates, locks and highway signs and a bull elk that appeared to have been illegally killed with the aid of headlights.

The officers found a lock and a ranch sign that had been shot numerous times with .22- and .380-caliber firearms. They also found highway signs that had been run over by a vehicle, and dead rabbits that had been placed in mailboxes and on ranch signs. The bull elk was also found shot numerous times with .22- and .380-caliber firearms.

The Department of Game and Fish offers rewards for information leading to the arrest of wildlife criminals. If you have information regarding wildlife crimes, please call 1-800-432-GAME. Callers can remain anonymous.

Dealing with rabies

In Arizona, approximately thirty people each year have known contact with laboratory-confirmed rabid animals. In this state, rabies most commonly occurs in bats, skunks and foxes, but any mammal can contract the disease. Rabid animals may show unusual behavior or appear unstable. Wild animals exhibiting unusual behavior should be reported to local animal control officials.

Examples of unusual behavior include wild animals that show no fear of people and pets; nocturnal animals that are active in daylight; or bats found on the ground, in swimming pools or that have been caught by a pet. It is estimated that less than one percent of bats in nature carry rabies, but people should always use caution around wild animals. The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) recommends the following precautions:

• Keep people and pets away from wild animals. Teach children not to pick up, touch, or feed wild or unfamiliar animals, especially sick or wounded ones.

• Do not "rescue" seemingly abandoned young wild animals.

• Vaccinate all dogs and cats against rabies. Pets should be kept in a fenced yard.

• Take precautions when camping, hunting or fishing. Avoid sleeping on the open ground without the protection of a closed tent or camper. Keep pets on a leash and do not allow them to wander.

• Do not disturb roosting bats. If you find a bat on the ground, don't touch it. Report the bat and its location to your local animal control officer or health department.

Someone exposed to rabies undergoes postexposure prophylaxis or PEP. In the United States, postexposure prophylaxis consists of a regimen of one dose of immune globulin and five doses of rabies vaccine over a 28-day period. Rabies immune globulin and the first dose of rabies vaccine should be given by a health care provider as soon as possible after exposure. Additional doses or rabies vaccine should be given 3, 7, 14, and 28 days after the first vaccination. Current vaccines are relatively painless and are given in a person's arm, like a flu or tetanus vaccine.