(Silver City, NM, April 8, 2026) — Wildlife is a beloved feature of the Gila National Forest, but wildlife poses a variety of threats to humans, from sharp teeth to zoonotic diseases like rabies.
Taking some simple steps can ensure a safer encounter in the forest for humans and wildlife alike:
Enjoy wildlife from a distance: Give animals at least 25 yards and bears at least 100 yards of space.
Do not feed wildlife: Feeding can alter natural behaviors, create a dependence on human food, increase the risk of aggressive encounters, and can attract animals to dangerous areas like roads or campsites.
Store food and trash securely: Keep food, toiletries, and garbage in bear-resistant containers, locked vehicles, or food storage boxes where provided. Do not store food in your tent.
Avoid sensitive times: Avoid wildlife during mating, nesting, raising young, or wintering periods as they are more vulnerable or protective.
Stay on trails: Stick to designated paths to minimize disturbance to wildlife habitats and reduce the risk of unexpected encounters.
Control pets: Keep pets on a leash or under strict voice control to prevent pets from chasing or harassing wildlife. Wildlife may perceive pets as threats and can injure them in self-defense or transmit diseases like rabies.
Make noise while traveling: In areas with low visibility or known bear activity, talk, clap, or sing to avoid surprising wildlife. Animals are less likely to react defensively if they hear you coming.
Know how to react: If you encounter a bear, don't run—back away slowly while making noise. For aggressive encounters, use bear spray if available. For other animals like javelina, give them space and retreat calmly if they notice you.
Report incidents: If wildlife approaches your campsite, damages property, injures someone, or acts sick or strange, report it to the Las Cruces office of the New Mexico Department of Wildlife (formerly Game and Fish) at 575-532-2100 and the nearest Forest Service Ranger District Office as soon as possible. This helps protect others and allows officials to manage problem animals appropriately.
The Gila National Forest recently received multiple reports of a rabid fox in the Wilderness Ranger District near the Gila Cliff Dwellings. To minimize the possibility of rabies transmission, please follow the tips above in addition to the following:
If you encounter any animal that seems sick or is exhibiting strange behavior, do not approach. Alert the New Mexico Department of Wildlife at 575-532-2100 and the nearest Forest Service Ranger District Office.
Ensure housing and overnight dwellings (tents or cabins) are sealed off from the outdoors and that there are no small openings through which bats or other wildlife can enter.
Ensure your pets are up to date on vaccinations, especially for rabies, to protect them and your family.
Talk to a medical provider about pre-exposure vaccination if you work with animals that could have rabies or are traveling to an area of the world where rabies is common.
To ensure humans and wildlife continue to successfully co-exist on the Gila, please follow these suggestions. While the Gila National Forest manages the landscapes of the Gila, wildlife in the state of New Mexico is managed by the New Mexico Department of Wildlife. Learn more about mitigating risk in bear encounters on the Forest Service's Be Bear Aware page, and please report any animals acting strangely on the Gila directly to the New Mexico Department of Wildlife at 575-532-2100.
