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Coalition Seeks to Protect Lynx in New Mexico
A coalition of conservation groups is seeking to extend Endangered Species Act protection for the lynx to include those animals that cross the state border from Colorado into New Mexico. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service contends that once an individual lynx cross the state border it is no longer protected.
A coalition of conservation groups last week filed a formal petition seeking Endangered Species Act protection for Canada lynx throughout the native cat's entire Southern Rocky Mountain range, including north-central New Mexico. While lynx in Colorado are protected, they lose their protection the moment they cross the state border into New Mexico. Over the last few years, at least six lynx have been killed in New Mexico (including two that were hit by cars and at least one that was shot). The Colorado Division of Wildlife determined that “mortalities occurred in New Mexico in higher proportion to all lynx locations in that area than elsewhere.” The mountainous regions of north-central New Mexico are once again part of the lynx’s range in the Southern Rockies because of Colorado's reintroduction efforts. The Colorado Division of Wildlife began releasing lynx in southwestern Colorado’s San Juan Mountains in 1999. More than 100 lynx are thought to be roaming Colorado, New Mexico, and other nearby states.
