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Two Mexican Wolf Pups Caught in Leghold Traps

Reported:
11/14/2019
Location:
Gila National Forest, NM - USA
Species:
Endangered Species
Trap Type:
Leghold
Incident Date:
11/14/2019
Victim's Disposition:
injured
Victim's Name:
Legal Action:
Unknown

Summary:

On November 14, just one week after the New Mexico Department of Game & Fish rejoined the federal Mexican Wolf Recovery Program, a Mexican gray wolf pup was caught and injured in a leghold trap that had been set in the Gila National Forest. A second wolf pup was later spotted with a piece of another leghold trap still attached to its injured paw.

Nine months earlier, four other wolves were caught in traps in the same area. One of those wolves died, while another had its leg amputated. The third wolf had two legs caught in two different traps. It and the fourth wolf were unharmed and ultimately released back into the wild.

The most recent incident prompted renewed calls by conservation groups for the state to ban trapping on public lands. State law allows private trapping on public lands.

Result: