HOUSE MEMORIAL 49

55th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2022

INTRODUCED BY

Rebecca Dow and Gail Armstrong

 

 

 

 

 

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISH TO STUDY AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO PROVIDE GREATER PROTECTIONS FOR LIVESTOCK AND ADDRESS ECONOMIC LOSSES CAUSED BY THE REINTRODUCTION OF THE MEXICAN WOLF.

 

     WHEREAS, the United States fish and wildlife service reintroduced Mexican wolves to areas in Arizona and New Mexico in 1998; and

     WHEREAS, many ranchers in the state have found the efforts of the federal government to protect domestic animals from depredation and provide compensation for economic losses to be inadequate; and

     WHEREAS, the depredation of a single domestic animal can incur economic losses of more than one thousand dollars ($1,000); and

     WHEREAS, the behavior of livestock can be altered by the presence of predators, resulting in reduced weight gain, lower reproductive success and reduced meat quality; and

     WHEREAS, the department of game and fish does not have its own program or compensation fund to address depredation by the Mexican wolf;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of game and fish be requested to study how to create greater protections for livestock and address economic losses caused by the reintroduction of the Mexican wolf and report its conclusions and recommendations to the appropriate legislative interim committee on or before October 31, 2022; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the director of the department of game and fish.

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