Common Wildlife and How to Respond

NOTE:  Most wildlife situations and encounters are not an emergency, however, if you feel human health and safety is at immediate risk, call 911.

ANIMAL IN AREA

ANIMAL IN OR UNDER HOUSE OR ON PROPERTY

ANIMAL IN TRAP

BAT

The City of Albuquerque can assist with input on how to solve bat problems and discourage animals from using roosting sites.

Any bats that are suspected of being sick or injured should be reported to 311 for pick-up. Report any possible exposure to bats. Bat bites should be reported to 311 in addition to contacting a medical professional.

BEAR

CONTACT: NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISH 222-4700

Black Bears are an occasional visitor to the City of Albuquerque.  The animals come down from the mountains in search of food during poor production years in their normal habitat.

If you do see a bear in the City, report it to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.  If it is an emergency, contact 911.

More information about bears in New Mexico can be found here and here.

BOBCAT

CONTACT: NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISH 222-4700

Bobcats are a widespread, yet rarely encountered, wildlife species in Albuquerque.  They are usually encountered in open space areas along the foothills corridor. Most sightings do not require any action.  Enjoy wildlife at a distance.

More information about living near bobcats can be found here.

If you suspect a bobcat may be injured or sick contact the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.

Contact the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish if you have a bobcat that requires removal.

Bobcats are a protected state furbearer and trapping should not be attempted without the guidance of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.

If a bobcat has been captured in a live trap contact NMDGF for assistance.

COYOTE

CONTACT: CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE 311

Coyotes are a common wildlife species throughout the City of Albuquerque.  Most sightings do not require any action.  Enjoy wildlife at a distance.

If you encounter an aggressive coyote, or suspect it may be injured or sick, report it to the City.

More information about coyotes in Albuquerque can be found here.

Coyotes visiting a property should be actively hazed.  See hazing instructions here.

Take steps to discourage coyotes from visiting your property by removing attractants.

Animals that are suspected of being aggressive, injured, or unable to leave a property should be reported to the City.

We do not recommend trapping coyotes.  Leg-hold traps are not legal in the City of Albuquerque.

If you come across a coyote in some type of trap, or an animal that has been accidentally trapped, report this to the City.

FOX

CONTACT: NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISH 222-4700

Gray Fox are a fairly common, yet rarely seen, wildlife species in the Albuquerque area.  Most sightings do not require any action.  Enjoy wildlife at a distance.

If you suspect the fox may be injured or sick contact the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.

Contact the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish if you have a fox that requires removal.

Gray Fox are a protected state furbearer and trapping should not be attempted without the guidance of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.

Call NMDGF for assistance with removing trapped animals.

INJURED BIRD

CONTACT: A LOCAL WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR

INJURED BIRD OF PREY

CONTACT: CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE 311

Injured birds of prey (eagles, hawks, owls, and falcons) should be reported to the City of Albuquerque

MOUNTAIN LION

CONTACT: NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISH 222-4700

Mountain Lions are rarely encountered within the Albuquerque City limits.  If you do see a mountain lion in the City report it to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.  If it is an emergency, contact 911.

More information about Mountain Lions in New Mexico can be found here.

PORCUPINE

CONTACT: CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE 311 or URBAN BIOLOGY DIVISION 452-5300

Porcupines are a fairly common wildlife species in Albuquerque.  They are usually found along the bosque corridor, but have been reported from all parts of the City.  Most sightings do not require any action.  Enjoy wildlife at a distance.

Keep your pets on a leash.

If you suspect the porcupine may be injured or sick, report to the City.

More information about porcupines in Albuquerque can be found here (site under construction).

If the animal in in a location where it may be encountered by a pet contact 311.  Keep pets restrained and away from porcupine.

If there is no threat to pets, leaving the animal alone is often the best option.  Porcupines will normally move on during the nighttime hours.

If you trap a porcupine you can call the City for assistance with on-site or near site release.

SKUNK

CONTACT: CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE 311 or URBAN BIOLOGY DIVISION 452-5300

CONTACT: PRIVATE PEST CONTROL

Skunks are a common and widespread wildlife species in Albuquerque.  Seeing or smelling a skunk does not mean you have a skunk problem. Most sightings do not require any action.  Enjoy wildlife at a distance. Take steps to discourage the animals from visiting your property.

If you suspect the skunk may be injured or sick, report it to the City.

More information about skunks in Albuquerque can be found here.

If you have a skunk on your property the City of Albuquerque can assist with providing information about discouraging and excluding skunks from your property. A site inspection may be scheduled to determine the extent of the skunk issue and to identify steps for resolving it. Skunk issues can often be resolved without trapping animals.

The City of Albuquerque does not pick up trapped skunks.  If you have captured a skunk and would like it removed, private pest control specializing in wildlife management should be contacted for assistance.

If you have accidentally trapped a skunk, and would like assistance with ON-SITE release, the City of Albuquerque Urban Biology Division can be contacted for assistance. Skunks are NOT relocated.

SNAKE

CONTACT: CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE 311

Snakes encountered in City Open Space or undeveloped areas should be left alone.  If you encounter a snake on your property and are uncomfortable with it, or suspect it may be venomous (rattlesnakes), the City of Albuquerque should be contacted for assistance with removal.

SQUIRREL

CONTACT: PRIVATE PEST CONTROL

Squirrels are a common and widespread wildlife species in the City of Albuquerque.

More information about squirrels in Albuquerque can be found here (site under construction).

If squirrels have become a nuisance on your property, private pest control specializing in wildlife management should be contacted for assistance.

The City of Albuquerque does not pick up trapped squirrels.  If you have captured a squirrel and would like it removed, private pest control specializing in wildlife management should be contacted for assistance.

RABBIT

CONTACT: PRIVATE PEST CONTROL

Rabbits are a common and widespread wildlife species in the City of Albuquerque.

All wild rabbits should be left alone and never handled.

If rabbits have become a nuisance on your property, private pest control specializing in wildlife management should be contacted for assistance.

The City of Albuquerque does not pick up trapped rabbits.  If you have captured a rabbit and would like it removed, private pest control specializing in wildlife management should be contacted for assistance.

RACCOON

CONTACT: NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISH 222-4700 (for trapping and removal of nuisance animals only)

Raccoons are a common and widespread wildlife species in Albuquerque.

Seeing a raccoon does not mean you have a raccoon problem.  Most sightings do not require any action.  Enjoy wildlife at a distance. Take steps to discourage the animals from visiting your property. More information about raccoons in Albuquerque can be found here (site under construction).

If you suspect the raccoon may be injured or sick, report to New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.

The handling of raccoons is done by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.  Only nuisance animals will be removed.

If you would like more information about discouraging raccoons from visiting your property see here (site under construction).

The City of Albuquerque does not pick-up or handle raccoons that have been trapped.

Raccoons are a protected state furbearer.  The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish should be contacted before attempting to trap raccoons.