Rappelling for Gila Trout, Tiny Toads and Big Bass: New Mexico Wildlife September 2026

ISSUE NUMBER FORTY-FIVE • SEPTEMBER 2026

The New Mexico Department of Wildlife is sharing its latest stories from across the state, highlighting conservation work, wildlife research and efforts to protect the animals and outdoor resources that make New Mexico unique.

Going Over the Edge for Gila Trout: Hanging by a Rope for Science

For one New Mexico Department of Wildlife biologist, protecting native Gila trout meant going places most people never will.

Department biologist Dan Trujillo and canyoneer Colten Lay traveled into a remote section of the Gila Wilderness, where their work included rappelling down 19 waterfalls, swimming through canyon pools and collecting environmental DNA and water-quality samples.

The research could help determine whether remote stretches of the West Fork of Mogollon Creek could once again support Gila trout. The work is especially important as drought, wildfire and flooding continue to threaten habitat for one of the nation’s rarest trout species.

Read the full Gila trout story

Small Toad, Big Answers: Researchers Examine Changing Wetland Conditions

A small amphibian is helping researchers better understand some much bigger environmental questions in New Mexico.

The endangered boreal toad is being studied as researchers examine how drought, declining snowpack and shrinking water supplies are affecting wetland habitats.

The Share with Wildlife-funded research could provide information that helps guide future conservation efforts for boreal toads and other wildlife that depend on healthy wetland ecosystems.

Learn more about the boreal toad research

Mapping the Genes of New Mexico’s Largemouth Bass

What can the genetics of a largemouth bass tell scientists about the future of fishing in New Mexico? Potentially quite a bit.

The New Mexico Department of Wildlife and researchers connected with New Mexico State University are studying largemouth bass populations from across the state.

By examining their genetics, researchers hope to better understand where different populations originated, how genetically diverse they are and how that information could guide future stocking, hatchery management and conservation decisions.

The research could also help determine whether historically native largemouth bass populations remain in parts of New Mexico.

Read more about the largemouth bass genetics project

Operation Game Thief Helps Protect New Mexico Wildlife

Members of the public can play an important role in protecting New Mexico’s wildlife through Operation Game Thief.

New Mexico’s program was the first wildlife crime tip program of its kind in the United States. It gives people a way to anonymously report suspected poaching and other wildlife violations.

Information that leads to an arrest may also qualify for a cash reward.

Learn more about Operation Game Thief

Check Out the New Mexico Wildlife Podcast

The New Mexico Wildlife Podcast covers wildlife, hunting, fishing, conservation, outdoor recreation and the work being done by the New Mexico Department of Wildlife.

Recent featured episodes include:

• Built for the Desert: The Story of New Mexico’s Javelina
• How R3 is Building the Next Generation of Conservationists
• From Egg to River: New Mexico’s Hatchery System

Listen to the New Mexico Wildlife Podcast on SoundCloud

Visit the New Mexico Wildlife Podcast page

To learn more about wildlife conservation, fishing, hunting, education programs and outdoor opportunities throughout the state, visit the New Mexico Department of Wildlife online.

Visit the New Mexico Department of Wildlife