New Mexicans want safe, trap-free public lands!
Trap Free New Mexico is a coalition of citizens, conservation organizations and animal welfare groups who oppose the cruel, damaging, and dangerous practice of trapping in New Mexico. Under-regulated and outdated, traps put citizens, pets, and non-target species at risk, including the endangered Mexican gray wolf. We seek to ban traps in New Mexico for the sake of public safety and New Mexico’s native wildlife.
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News & Updates
This picture shows the brutality of trapping
Coyote paw bones in rusty steel jaw trap. Traps like this are scattered across our public lands, posing a risk to anything with legs that tough the ground.
NM trapping laws not in step with NM values
The public only recently learned that a man intentionally set a leg-hold trap on public land to illegally capture an endangered Mexican wolf in 2015 (“Catron County man pleads guilty to killing Mexican gray wolf,” Albuquerque Journal, May 25). Once captured, still...
Jack Russell caught in trap in Gila National Forest
I was leading a Sierra Club outing when a Jack Russell took off barking with enthusiasm and delight only to be caught in a baited trap. I knew how to open the trap, but the terrified and hurt animal bit his owner before we could release him. The outing ended then as...
Series of awful trapping incidents spotlights need for reform
Three-legged wolf, tortured bobcat, injured raven, trapped pet dogs, and dumped wildlife carcasses highlight the toll on animal welfare and public safety For immediate release May 21, 2018 Contacts: Chris Smith, WildEarth Guardians, 505-395-6177,...
Carcass pile dumped by trapper
This is a pile of skinned coyote, fox, and bobcat carcasses dumped by the side of the road, paws still intact. This was found by the side of a dirt road in New Mexico. Trapping animals and taking their fur is a waste of a valued public asset. Wildlife belongs to all...
This X-ray shows the destruction traps inflict
In March 2018 a dog was found in Las Cruces dragging a steel trap on its paw. This is the X-ray showing broken and misplaced bones. Click here to read the story »
San Francisco Becomes the Largest U.S. City to Ban Fur Sales
San Francisco has become the largest U.S. city to ban fur sales after the city’s Board of Supervisors voted on legislation Tuesday. The ban will go into effect on January 1, 2019, and gives retailers until January 2020 to sell of their existing fur stock. The fur...
Trapping no longer necessary
The image of the fox caught in a trap near Placitas was surely startling to many Journal readers. In the weeks since the publication of this incident, a vibrant discourse has arisen concerning the merits and pitfalls of trapping and, more generally, managing wildlife...
What will it take to ban traps on public lands?
Readers share their experiences with traps in N.M.'s wilds and call for action ABQ Journal February 27, 2018 Click for larger image
Ask the Bugman: Trapping is totally satanic
Trapping, while legal in many parts of the country, is a vulgar activity. The traps cause unbelievable suffering, including ripped flesh, broken bones, crushed pelvises, swelling and blood loss. The most insidious traps are the steel-jawed leghold traps. The...