HOW MANY BLACK BEARS ARE THERE IN NEW MEXICO? THAT'S WHAT RESEARCHERS AT N-M-S U WANT TO KNOW, SO THEY ARE SETTING BEAR RUBS AND HAIR TRAPS TO COLLECT SAMPLES AS THE BEARS RUB AGAINST THEM. THE NON-INVASIVE TRAPS ARE BEING SET IN THE SANGRE DE CRISTO AND SACRAMENTO MOUNTAINS, COVERING OPPOSITE ENDS OF THE STATE.
GENETIC DATA WILL BE USED TO ESTIMATE THE BEAR POPULATION, AND HELP OFFICIALS SET HUNTING QUOTAS.
