The City of Albuquerque is home to hundreds of local and migratory bird species. We do not transport songbirds or small birds. Limited assistance is sometimes available for a large bird such as a goose depending on circumstances.

Baby Birds

Learn how to assess and help a baby bird.

The City of Albuquerque does not pick up baby birds. Contact a local wildlife rehabilitator for assistance.

Injured Birds

The City of Albuquerque does not pick up or transport the majority of birds, including small birds and songbirds. Contact a local wildlife rehabilitator for assistance.

Injured bird of prey, roadrunners, large birds

Limited assistance is sometimes available for a large bird such as a goose depending on circumstances.

Injured birds of prey (eagles, hawks, owls, falcons, etc), roadrunners, should be reported to the City of Albuquerque via 311 or contact a local wildlife rehabilitator for assistance.

The City of Albuquerque does not pick up or transport the majority of birds, including small birds and songbirds.

Dead Birds

If you find a dead bird, you should leave it alone or take the following steps to dispose of it:

Throwing in the garbage:
- Do not touch the bird with your bare hands. If possible, wear plastic, rubber, or latex gloves that you can throw away after you pick up or handle the bird. If you can't wear gloves that you can throw away, you can use a plastic bag as a glove. After you pick up the dead bird, turn the bag back on itself and tie off the bag. Then place it in a second bag, tie the bag, and throw it away in a garbage can.
- Place the dead bird in a plastic bag that does not leak. Be careful not to touch the outside of the bag with the bird.
- Tie off the plastic bag, and then place that bag in a second bag.
- Take off your gloves by turning them inside out, and then place each glove in the second bag. Tie the second bag off and throw the bagged animal away in a garbage can.
Burying the animal:
- If garbage service/plastic bags aren’t available, you can bury the bird. Do not bury the bird or in a plastic bag or other container.
Either method:
- Wash any clothing that has touched the dead bird. Use ordinary laundry soap at the temperature you would normally use to wash clothes.
- Clean any indoor surfaces that have been touched by the dead bird. Use normal household cleaner.
- Wash your hands well with soap and warm water.

Bat

Bats are common throughout the City of Albuquerque. Over 20 different bat species are known to live in or migrate through the city and all are excellent pest control specialists. Bats can be commonly found roosting on or in structures as well as in the Bosque. The vast majority of the time these bats do not require any intervention and it is always best to observe wildlife from a distance.

My child/myself/my pet touched (or may have touched) a bat. What should I do?

Call City of Albuquerque 311 or the City's Urban Biology Division at (505)452-5300 and NM Dept of Health Epidemiologist on Call at (505)827-0006 and/or a medical professional.

I found a bat, but nobody’s touched it. What should I do?

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.

Bear

Black Bears are an occasional visitor to the City of Albuquerque. Black Bear can come down from the mountains in search of food during poor production years in their normal habitat. Learn more about bear safety and living with large predators.

I saw a bear in the city. What should I do?

If you do see a bear in the City, report it to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish right away at (505) 222-4700. If it is an emergency, contact 911.

Bobcat

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

I found a bobcat in the city, what do I do?

If you suspect a bobcat may be injured, sick, or if you have a bobcat that requires removal, please contact the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish at (505) 222-4700.

Bobcats are a state-protected 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

Coyotes are a common wildlife species throughout the City of Albuquerque and live in the city among us every day. They have been spotted in every neighborhood, from downtown to the valleys, mesa, and foothills. Most sightings do not require any action. Always enjoy wildlife at a distance. Learn more about coyotes in Albuquerque.

I saw a coyote on my property, what do I do?

If you see a coyote in your neighborhood or property, we encourage the use of hazing techniques to discourage the animal from the area. Hazing includes the use of loud noises, rocks, water, etc. Learn more about hazing.
Take other steps to discourage coyote from your property such as removing attractants or modifying your yard. Learn more about removing attractants.

I am concerned about my pet. What do I do?

We always encourage pet safety, regardless of the presence of coyote in an area. Some steps you can take to ensure the safety of your pet, regardless of the circumstances are:

Always keep your dog on a tight leash outside your property
Never leave small animals outside unattended– especially at night
Do not let cats out to roam
Feed animals inside
Secure animals such as chicken, ducks and rabbits in coops and hutches

Something seems to be wrong with the coyote, what do I do?

Simply roaming in the area, especially during the day, is not a cause for alarm and is normal behavior. Only report the issue to the City if the coyote is:

Aggressive
Sick or injured
In a trap
Accidently trapped
Unable to leave a property

Hunting is not legal within city limits. We do not recommend trapping coyote. Leg-hold traps are not legal in the City of Albuquerque.

Deer

Mule Deer are a common wildlife species in the Albuquerque area, mostly in the foothills areas. Most sightings of deer in the city do not require any action. Enjoy wildlife at a distance.

If you suspect a deer may be injured, sick, or if you have a deer that requires removal, please contact the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish at (505) 222-4700.

Fox

Gray Fox are a fairly common, yet rarely seen, wildlife species in the Albuquerque area. They are excellent natural pest control specialists and adept at both jumping fences and climbing trees. Most sightings do not require any action. Enjoy wildlife at a distance.

If you suspect a fox may be injured, sick, or if you have a fox that requires removal, please contact the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish at (505) 222-4700.

Foxes are a state-protected furbearer and trapping should not be attempted without the guidance of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. If a fox has been captured in a live trap contact NMDGF for assistance.

Mountain Lion

Mountain Lions are rarely seen in the City of Albuquerque. Learn more about living near mountain lions.

If you do see a mountain lion in the City, report it to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish right away at (505) 222-4700. If it is an emergency, contact 911.

Peacock/Peafowl

Peafowl are common in particular portions of the City of Albuquerque. People often keep them as pets and they can escape from owners as well as form feral colonies of birds. Peafowl are an invasive species in North America.

There is a peacock on my property. What do I do?

If a peacock is on your property and you do not want it there, we recommend hazing the animal to discourage it from your property. Hazing includes making loud noises, spraying the bird(s) with water, and harassment using a tightly leashed dog.

I found an injured peacock. What do I do?

There are no rehabilitation or relocation services available for peafowl in our area, so injured animals that are mobile are left to live a natural life. If the animal is incapacitated and unable to move, please call 311.

Porcupine

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. They are a nocturnal animal and generally spend most of their time up in trees eating or sleeping. Porcupines are not capable of ‘shooting’ their quills. Most sightings do not require any action. Enjoy wildlife at a distance.

I found a porcupine in a tree. What do I do?

Trees are where porcupine spend a lot of their time. Enjoy wildlife at a distance. Generally the animal will move on overnight as porcupine are nocturnal animals.

I found a porcupine on the ground. What do I do?

If the animal is at risk of contact with pets, keep your pet restrained and away from the animal. If there is no threat of contact with pets, leave the animal alone as it will usually move on overnight.

I found an injured porcupine. What do I do?

If you suspect the porcupine is sick or injured, call 311 for assistance.

I accidentally trapped a porcupine. What do I do?

If you accidentally trap a porcupine, contact 311 for assistance. The City of Albuquerque does not trap and remove porcupines but can assist with onsite or close-proximity release.

Rabbit

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, contact private pest control specializing in wildlife for assistance.

I trapped a wild rabbit. What do I do?

The City of Albuquerque does not trap or remove rabbits. If you have captured a rabbit and would like it removed, contact private pest control professionals specializing in wildlife for assistance.

I found a baby rabbit on the ground, what do I do?

Generally, the best thing to do is leave it where it is. Rabbits will often nest out in plain sight, and mother rabbits frequently leave for the day to forage, returning at night to feed their babies. What looks like abandonment to you in that moment is normal behavior for them, and the mother will soon return at the end of the day to tend to the babies.

The City of Albuquerque does not pick up or transport baby rabbits. Contact a local wildlife rehabilitator for assistance.

I found an injured wild rabbit. What do I do?

The City of Albuquerque does not pick up or transport injured wild rabbits. Contact a local wildlife rehabilitator for assistance.

Raccoon

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. Learn more about raccoons in urban settings.

I found a raccoon on my property. What do I do?

The City of Albuquerque does not trap or remove raccoons. If you do not want raccoons on your property, take steps to discourage the animals from visiting your property, including:

Removing attractants—food, water, garbage, etc.
Feeding pets inside
Make changes to your yard such as eliminating brush piles & debris, trimming bushes, etc.
Ensure that entrances to structures are secured

If you suspect a raccoon may be injured, sick, or if you have a raccoon that requires removal, please contact the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish at (505) 222-4700. Only nuisance animals may be removed.

Raccoons are a state-protected furbearer and trapping should not be attempted without the guidance of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. If a raccoon has been captured in a live trap contact NMDGF for assistance.

Skunk

Skunks are a common and widespread wildlife species in Albuquerque. Skunks are excellent natural pest control and skilled diggers. 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.

The City of Albuquerque does not trap or remove skunks. If you do not want skunks on your property, take steps to discourage the animals from visiting your property, including:

Removing attractants—food, water, garbage, etc.
Feeding pets inside
Make changes to your yard such as eliminating brush piles & debris, trimming bushes, etc.
Ensure that yards are secured and exclude skunks from entry

The City of Albuquerque can also provide information about discouraging and excluding skunks from your property, including site-specific inspections to determine the extent of the issue and identify steps towards resolution. Skunks are prevalent throughout the city and trapping is a short-term solution to a long-term problem. Many issues with skunks can be resolved without resorting to trapping and removal.

Inspections & consultations are provided free of charge and can be conducted for both residential and commercial properties.

Learn more about skunks in the city.

I trapped a skunk. What do I do?

The City of Albuquerque does not trap or remove skunks. If you have trapped a skunk and want it removed, please contact a private pest control provider that specializes in wildlife for assistance.

If you have accidentally trapped a skunk (most commonly occurs when people are trapping feral cats or squirrels), the City of Albuquerque Urban Biology Division can be contacted for assistance for an on-site release. The animal will not be removed/relocated and the trap will be opened where it sits. Please call 311 for on-site release assistance.

Snake

Snakes are common throughout the City of Albuquerque. Many are harmless and beneficial pest controllers.

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), please call 311 for assistance.

Squirrel

Squirrel are a common and widespread wildlife species in Albuquerque. Most sightings do not require any action. Enjoy wildlife at a distance.

Seeing a squirrel does not mean you have a squirrel problem. Most sightings do not require any action. If squirrels have become a nuisance on your property, contact a private pest control professional that specializes in wildlife for assistance.

The City of Albuquerque does not trap or remove squirrels. Contact a private pest control professional that specializes in wildlife for assistance.

Common Wildlife and How to Respond

What Type of Animal Did You Find?

Birds