New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 19 - NATURAL RESOURCES AND WILDLIFE
Chapter 35 - CAPTIVE WILDLIFE USES
Part 7 - IMPORTATION OF LIVE NON-DOMESTIC ANIMALS, BIRDS AND FISH
Section 19.35.7.17 - IMPORTATION CONDITIONS FOR THE FAMILIES BOVIDAE, ANTILOCAPRIDAE AND CERVIDAE

Universal Citation: 19 NM Admin Code 19.35.7.17

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 24, December 23, 2024

All live protected wildlife species of the families Bovidae, Antilocapridae, and Cervidae imported in the state of New Mexico shall meet the following criteria.

A. Be permanently identified with any 2 of the following devices, one of which must be an official animal identification. All identification data shall be registered with the department:

(1) implanted electronic identification device.

(2) ear tag with park identification number.

(3) tamper-proof ear tag with imprinted national identification number.

(4) USDA metal ear tags.

B. Be examined by an accredited veterinarian prior to importation. Each animal shall be accompanied by a pre-approved health certificate, certifying a disease-free status.

C. Test negative for brucellosis. Serum testing shall be done not more than 30 days prior to importation. All serum samples shall be tested by a cooperative state federal brucellosis laboratory.

D. Test negative for bovine tuberculosis not more than 90 days prior to importation. Animals to be imported must originate from a herd that had a negative whole-herd tuberculosis test not more than 12 months prior to importation or have a current "tuberculosis free herd" certificate issued from the state of origin through a USDA accreditation program. Bovine tuberculosis testing must be performed with the current USDA approved method and be conducted by a federally accredited veterinarian. Exception: Wild sheep are exempt from this testing requirement.

E. Only cervids enrolled and in the state CWD herd certification program and from a herd that has achieved certified status, and that does not show clinical signs associated with CWD may be imported into New Mexico.

(1) No cervid shall be allowed to enter the state if it has had any contact with a CWD suspect, exposed, positive, trace-forward or trace-back animal within 60 months prior to time of importation.

(2) No cervid coming through mixed herd sales or auctions shall be allowed to enter the state. Only animals from closed sales may be imported.

(3) No cervid shall enter the state in a conveyance that has held CWD suspect, exposed, positive, trace-forward or trace-back animals.

F. All elk to be imported into the state of New Mexico shall be tested for genetic purity. Only Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) will be allowed to be imported into the state of New Mexico. Any elk showing red deer hybridization or hybridization of other elk subspecies will not be allowed into the state. All testing shall be done ONLY by a New Mexico department of game and fish approved laboratory.

G. All progeny from female elk impregnated prior to importation into New Mexico shall be tested for hybridization of red deer and other elk subspecies.

H. White-tailed deer subspecies to be imported into the state of New Mexico must have originated and must exist west of the 100th meridian and test negative for meningeal worm.

I. Be permitted in compliance with Subsection A of 19.31.1.10 NMAC.

(1) Cost of testing: All testing will be at owner's expense.

(2) After entering the state, all animals shall be held in a separate facility by the owner and/or importer. All imported animals, prior to release, may be inspected at any time by a department of game and fish official or designee.

(3) Owners/importers must notify the department of game and fish within 24 hours of any disease indications or symptoms that manifest themselves among the imported animals prior to final inspection.

(4) Animals shall be held in isolation in the event of an animal health emergency as declared by the director.

(5) Final inspection / permit validation: No animals may be released from the separate facility into the class A park or other enclosure until the owner has received a release approval signed by a department of game and fish official.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. New Mexico may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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