N.M. Code R. § 19.35.7.19 : NATURAL RESOURCES AND WILDLIFE — CAPTIVE WILDLIFE USES — IMPORTATION OF LIVE NON-DOMESTIC ANIMALS, BIRDS AND FISH — RELEASE FROM CAPTIVITY FOR IMPORTED ANIMALS

No person shall release from captivity an imported animal into New Mexico except by obtaining a release permit from the director. The transfer of an imported animal from one person to another person does not constitute a release from captivity.

A. Prior to approval by the director an applicant must:
(1) submit a plat of the release area;
(2) submit verification that landowners, tribal officials, state officials, federal officials and county officials that may be directly affected by the release have been notified of the potential release in writing and have been given 20 days to respond to the release; responses must be submitted with the application; it is the responsibility of the applicant to notify the above and submit responses to the department; failure to notify as indicated herein or to submit responses will result in the application being rejected until this condition is met and any compliance fees are paid;
(3) demonstrate that the intended release is provided for in state or federal resource or species management plans or strategies (CWCS).
B. Any individual or group of isolated animals in which signs of infectious or contagious disease is evident will not be released, will remain in isolation, and, at the recommendation of the state veterinarian:
(1) the animals shall be treated and restored to health until they no longer pose a threat of infection to wild, free ranging wildlife or to other captive animals in the facility; or
(2) the isolated animals shall be destroyed and remains will be disposed in a manner conforming to state, federal or local rules and regulations.
C. The director shall not approve any release permit that conflicts with current conservation management.

N.M. Code R. § 19.35.7.19

19.35.7.19 NMAC - Rp, 19.35.7.19 NMAC, 1-31-14, Amended by New Mexico Register, Volume XXV, Issue 23, December 15, 2014, eff. 12/15/2014, Amended by New Mexico Register, Volume XXXII, Issue 03, February 9, 2021, eff. 2/9/2021