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Category: Local News Releases Local News Releases
Published: 31 May 2018 31 May 2018

Silver City, NM, May 31, 2018—For Immediate Release. The Gila National Forest wishes to remind all visitors on public lands to practice “situational awareness.” Situational awareness is the perception of environmental elements and events – in essence, knowing what going on around you at any given place and time. When visiting the forest you should remember that you are sharing space with a variety of wildlife; including snakes, bears, mountain lions, deer, elk, and many more species. The wildlife on your public lands should be viewed from a distance.

The forest has received a report of a mountain lion near water sources; and a human/bear encounter occurred over the Memorial Day weekend. New Mexico is in a state of severe to extreme drought and that affects the wildlife as well. Prey animals, such as deer and elk, are moving to lower levels searching for forage and water, and this brings large predators down to lower levels looking for food and water as well. Your safety, and the welfare of the wildlife population, are important to the Gila National Forest and to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF)

NMDGF has several publications, which are available on on-line and at the Gila NF’s ranger stations, on “Living with Large Predators in New Mexico” and “Keeping Bears Alive and Yourself Safe.”

http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/download/publications/wildlife/Living-with-Large-Predators-in-New-Mexico-2016.pdf 

http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/download/publications/wildlife/Keeping-Bears-Alive-and-You-Safe.pdf 

For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/gila