New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027
tristanna.bickford@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, SEPT. 17, 2020:
Department biologists investigate avian mortality in New Mexico
Correction: Please continue to use the iNaturalist app or website, however do not use the “Southwest Avian Mortality Project” for reporting; the team tracking these avian mortalities will be able to filter iNaturalist data for New Mexico.
SANTA FE – Over the past week, Department biologists have been working with federal agencies, avian researchers and other colleagues to document and to identify the cause of statewide avian mortalities. Biologists are working diligently with our partners to determine the number of deaths and the reason for the occurrence.
The Department is interested in your observations and photos to track the avian mortality event in New Mexico. To submit your observations and photos, please use the iNaturalist app or website, available on Google Play or the Apple App Store and https://www.inaturalist.org/. For help with the iNaturalist app, the “Getting Started Guide” has simple instructions to submit an observation: https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/getting+started. iNaturalist also has tutorial videos for the mobile app and web uploader.
Over the past week, Department biologists have collected approximately 300 samples from the public and partner agencies. Samples will be sent to the National Wildlife Health Center. Samples are also being collected by biologists at White Sands Missile Range and New Mexico State University. Migratory song birds, such as warblers and swallows, are the primary species that have been collected.
If specimens are collected, please contact erin.duvuvuei@state.nm.us.
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