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New Mexico Advocates need your help!

March 3, 2015/in News

Bill 586 is moving fast. Please act quickly and tell the New Mexico Legislatures to VOTE NO!

Since last November’s elections there has been an unprecedented backlash against large carnivores and other predators in many western states. We find this to be incongruous. It is inconsistent with current best science from which is emerging a very convincing picture of the important and contributory place of predators on the landscape.

Why then is this happening? We can only guess, but the one thing we do know for sure is that the people who unfailingly ‘show up’ are the ones who influence the decisions. That is why we urge you to take notice of Bill 586

http://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/15%20Regular/bills/house/HB0586.pdf

Please submit your comments and if at all possible attend the hearings at the Capitol in Santa Fe NM at 1.30pm March 9th

New Mexico’s wildlife is facing a very hard time in the House. SB 253 attempting to ban what can only be called despicable wildlife killing contests was tabled by committee when it reached the House. The Bill that will be heard this Monday March 9th will remove games species status from mountain lions and relegate them to be treated in the same sad and gratuitous manner as coyotes, skunks and other non-protected fur bearers.

New Mexico can do better than this and your help is needed to show how….

Please contact members of the Regulatory and Public Affairs Committee and tell them why they must reject  Bill 586. Consider using some or all of the talking points found below the form.

[contact-form-7 id=”3931″ title=”New Mexico advocacy form”]

An email will be sent to the members of the New Mexico Regulatory and Public Affairs Committee from your default email server. The Committee will hear the Bill this Monday March 9th. Here is the link to the hearing if you would like to watch:

http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/legislation.aspx?chamber=S&legtype=B&legno=253&year=15

Here are some talking points to help you:

Predators belong!

Predators and prey evolved together over millennia. They each exhibit adaptations attributable to the presence of the other. Ungulates and other prey animals developed the speed, sight and hearing (those big ears aren’t for nothing!) to give them warning and the opportunity to outrun whoever might be stalking them. Without predators ungulates would degrade habitat and spread disease among themselves far more rapidly. The misinformation that ungulate herds show long term benefit from high pressure on predators has been unsupported by several now famous studies.

(Life-History Characteristics of Mule Deer: Effects of Nutrition in a Variable Environment KEVIN L. MONTEITH et al).

(Demographic response of mule deer to experimental reduction of coyotes and mountain lions. Mark Hurley).

More and more evidence is being collected and analyzed to indicate the ecological benefit of cougars and other large carnivores. The simplicity of the food web shows that removal of one of the components, especially if that component is an apex predator, leads to over abundance of prey species. This fact alone should be of greater concern to New Mexico’s livestock growers since drought, and less than optimal grazing order valtrex online canada opportunities mean that they are constantly competing with ungulates as they seek to feed their domestic herds and protect their livelihoods. The cougar’s habitat of choice is cover and riparian areas, which makes it a positive contributor to the health of rivers that are at risk for erosion by overgrazing. Vegetation is lost and there is a consequent impact on songbirds and fish as bank-loving trees recede and water temperatures rise from lack of shade.

Extremely high mortality of cougars increases depredation and decreases the age structure

Dr. Robert Wielgus continues to provide evidence from long term studies that removal of dominant animals results in greater immigration of less experienced dispersers. In what has become known as ‘chaos’ immature animals often resort to depredation as a means of survival once the intrinsic hierarchy of a cougar population has been altered by extensive and indiscriminate hunting. Relegating cougars to the status of un-protected fur bearers in New Mexico would be the epitome of extensive and unregulated hunting.

(Effects of Remedial Sport Hunting on Cougar Complaints and Livestock Depredations Peebles, Wielgus et al 2013)

Cultural and philosophical considerations

Mountain lions reproduce every couple of years after reaching sexual maturity. It is imperative that the kittens are with their mother for at least a year and ideally up to two years. This ensures their ability to hunt natural prey and to avoid human development and livestock. Since females are either pregnant or have dependent kittens for almost 75% of their lives we can assume that many of females killed leave behind orphaned young. This is unacceptable to managers, sportsman and the general public and is not tolerated for any other game  animal.

Furthermore, the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation became necessary because of the lack of regulation and consequent extirpation and near-extinction of many species. HB 586, if approved, would be a sign of regression to before the Model which managers and hunters cite with great confidence. The Public Trust Doctrine imposes the responsibility for states to manage wildlife in the interests of all the people.

The real solution to public safety and public interests is prevention. Education about conflict prevention and
appropriate surgical removal of target animals is far superior to the false security suggested by random culling (sport hunting or non-protected status).

Please take into account the following criteria when hearing HB 586

  • What is the justification? Is there a need?
  • What is the objective?
  • What will the consequences of HB 586 be for ALL stakeholders and constituents?
  • What published, peer reviewed, scientific documentation is being presented by the sponsor in support of HB586?
  • How will the committee’s decision affect the enhanced diversity of New Mexico?

Courtesy!

Dear Advocates,

Many thanks for considering these talking points as you engage in the privilege of democratic participation. Please remember that it is only the decision makers that have the ability to create change, for better or for worse. We may not always agree with public servants and department employees but we encourage politeness and respect in all communications.

Thank you!

The Cougar Fund


https://cougarfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/CougarFundBlack.png 0 0 Penny https://cougarfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/CougarFundBlack.png Penny2015-03-03 13:54:362015-03-03 13:54:36New Mexico Advocates need your help!

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An important new study adds to the body of evidence being amassed by researchers that supports the important ecological contributions of cougars as a keystone species. A direct quote in the article from Panthera's Puma Program Director Mark Elbroch as follows, "To those who care for the well-being of wildlife and the wild habitats sustaining all living beings, these findings yet again demonstrate the value and need to conserve the Americas' pumas." ... See MoreSee Less

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Study suggests pumas utilize sly strategy of fertilizing plants that recruit prey to hunting grounds

phys.org

A new Panthera study published today in Landscape Ecology has found that pumas might utilize a sly hunting strategy known as 'garden to hunt,' by which puma kills fertilize or deposit nutrients in soi...
4 days ago
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Remember all the things you did before they went into the den?BEAR SPRAY, MAKE NOISE, RECREATE IN GROUPS, FOOD STORAGE PRECAUTIONS, and be aware that energy out is very expensive for a bear after not eating for a few months so if there is a trail or winter track, that is probably the route the bear will choose...
Lets protect them by minding our own behaviour!

Remember all the things you did before they went into the den?BEAR SPRAY, MAKE NOISE, RECREATE IN GROUPS, FOOD STORAGE PRECAUTIONS, and be aware that energy out is very expensive for a bear after not eating for a few months so if there is a trail or winter track, that is probably the route the bear will choose...
Let's protect them by minding our own behaviour!(News Release) On Tuesday, March 7, a Yellowstone National Park wildlife biologist on a radio telemetry flight observed the first grizzly bear of 2023 to emerge from hibernation. The adult bear, estimated at 300-350 pounds, was seen near the remains of a bison carcass in Pelican Valley, in the central-eastern part of the park.

The first bear sighting of 2022 also occurred on March 7.

Male grizzlies come out of hibernation in early March. Females with cubs emerge in April and early May. When bears emerge from hibernation, they look for food and often feed on elk and bison that died over the winter. Sometimes, bears will react aggressively to encounters with people when feeding on carcasses.

“Spring visitors skiing, snowshoeing, or hiking in Yellowstone National Park are reminded to carry bear spray and be especially alert for bears near carcasses and areas with early spring green-up. These are the first foods sought out by grizzlies after emerging from hibernations,” said Kerry Gunther, the park's bear management biologist.

All of Yellowstone National Park is bear country: from the deepest backcountry to the boardwalks around Old Faithful. The park restricts certain visitor activities in locations where there is a high density of bears, along with elk and bison carcasses. Restrictions will begin in some bear management areas on March 10.

Learn more about how to protect yourself and the bears that people come here to enjoy: go.nps.gov/23006
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3 weeks ago
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I'm in the Southern Sangre de Cristo mountains. It's been a mild winter, very little snow, so I'm betting the Black Bears will be popping out soon.

I would love to see a bear. (From a safe distance for both of us, of course).

Better yet, don't stop being responsible in the wilderness under a false sense of security provided by pop-media ideas that they're in comas underground. Bears experience wakefulness during their supposed hibernation, and especially during periods of warmer weather they will come out for snacks.

Please protect our bear’s from Stupid people!!!!

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PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS!
UTAH WILDLIFE CONSERVATION EMERGENCY
A couple of days ago we a shared delightful national article about cutting edge studies of cougars in Utah. Today those cougars need your help. HB469 will remove management of mountain lions from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and allow them to be HUNTED and TRAPPED year round without limit or regulation. HB469 passed without notice or opportunity for public comment. Wildlife is held in trust for ALL the public, not a few special interest groups. Elected officials also represent more than a few stakeholders and need to seek advice from seasoned researchers and scientists before making decisions about wildlife. Please POLITELY ask Governor Cox at 801-538-1000 to not sign HB469, currently on his desk. or email cs.utah.gov/s/submit
The video below was shared by Denise and the crew of @Utah Mountain Lion Conservation who are working tirelessly to study and protect lions and ensure their place as a keystone species in Utah.
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4 weeks ago
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Congratulations to Denise Peterson, dedicated to mountain lions, and to sharing the results of her hard work.
Thank you Denise!
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Trail Camera Catches Something Conservationists Have Been Dying To See

www.msn.com

Denise M. Peterson had been waiting months for this. Ever since Peterson, founder of the Utah Mountain Lion Conservation, noticed a female and male mountain lion roaming the area together, she'd been ...
1 month ago
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Thanks! I can't wait to get back up to check these cams to see how they're doing!

I saw this on The Dodo this morning. A mom with two kittens!

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