Federal and State Agencies Agree: Observe Wildlife Responsibly From a Distance

As spring transitions into summer across New Mexico, wildlife officials are reminding residents and visitors to observe animals responsibly and leave young wildlife undisturbed while enjoying the outdoors.

The Bureau of Land Management Las Cruces District Office recently encouraged outdoor recreationists to “give wildlife room, use a zoom,” reminding the public that the safest way to observe animals is through binoculars, spotting scopes, or telephoto lenses rather than approaching them directly.

Photo: Courtesy Bureau of Land Management

BLM officials noted that wildlife can be unpredictable and advised visitors to remain at least 100 yards away from predators such as coyotes and the region’s rare mountain lions, while maintaining at least 25 yards from animals such as mule deer, oryx, and pronghorn often seen on public lands like Otero Mesa.

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Meanwhile, the New Mexico Department of Wildlife is urging the public to leave young wildlife alone during birthing season, emphasizing that animals that appear abandoned are usually not orphaned.

State wildlife officials said fawns, elk calves, bear cubs, and other young animals are often temporarily left hidden while their mothers forage nearby and typically return within a few hours. Human interference, even with good intentions, can unintentionally place young animals at risk.

Photos: Courtesy N.M. Department of Wildlife

“It is ideal to leave bear cubs alone and let their mother raise them in the wild,” Department carnivore and small mammal program manager Nick Forman said in the release. “Female bears can become defensive and aggressive quickly when they feel like their cubs are in danger.”

Department elk biologist Travis Zaffarano added that young elk calves rely heavily on camouflage and stillness during the earliest stages of development.

“These animals are not abandoned and will very shortly be reunited with their mothers,” Zaffarano said, encouraging the public to keep their distance and leave the area quickly to reduce stress on the animals.

Wildlife officials are also reminding residents that it is illegal to remove game animals from the wild and encourage anyone who believes an animal is injured or truly abandoned to contact a conservation officer rather than attempting to intervene themselves.

Both agencies emphasized that responsible wildlife viewing helps protect animals, visitors, and New Mexico’s outdoor recreation opportunities as more people head onto public lands during the warmer months.