Reports suggest the NM DOW is euthanizing bears that have migrated into neighborhoods an relocating others
Animal rights groups say don’t feed bears
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —
Bears are being seen more frequently in New Mexico neighborhoods, including Albuquerque and Rio Rancho, as drought and heat drive them to seek food and water in urban areas.
On Sunday, a bear was spotted in a Rio Rancho neighborhood. Rio Rancho police and the New Mexico Department of Wildlife responded to the scene and tranquilized the bear to relocate it. Residents appeared to take the situation in stride.
“I’ve been here since ’94. Every now and then, you hear about a few of them, so it happens from time to time,” one resident said.
Jessica Shelton from Animal Protection New Mexico explained that the drought is causing bears to migrate into neighborhoods across the state.
“As long as there is available food and available water in these urban areas, we’re going to see some bears coming into that territory, because up in their normal territory, we know that there has been a long-standing drought,” Shelton said.
According to reports, some bears have been euthanized by the New Mexico Department of Wildlife. The department’s website states, “A fed bear is a dead bear,” emphasizing that once a bear learns it can find food and water in populated areas, it is likely to return or remain there.
The department also notes that this behavior “can reduce the success of relocation efforts and may result in the bear being euthanized.” Officials warn that some bears can pose a threat to human safety.
“And so, you know, my understanding is that once a bear has been relocated and continues to return to an urban area and there are public safety concerns,” Shelton said.
We reached out to the Department of Wildlife about specifics but never heard back
