A. The director shall establish such programs, including programs for research and the acquisition of land or aquatic habitat, as authorized and deemed necessary by the commission for the management of endangered species.

B. In carrying out programs authorized by the Wildlife Conservation Act [17-2-33 to 17-2-36 NMSA 1978], the director may enter into agreements with federal agencies, political subdivisions of the state or with private persons for administration and management of any program established under this section or utilized for management of endangered species.

C. The director may authorize by permit the taking, possession, transportation, exportation or shipment of species or subspecies which have been deemed by the commission to be in need of management as provided in the Wildlife Conservation Act, so long as such use is for scientific, zoological or educational purposes, for propagation in captivity of such wildlife or to protect private property.

D. Endangered species may be removed, captured or destroyed where necessary to alleviate or prevent damage to property or to protect human health. Such removal, capture or destruction may be carried out only by prior authorization by permit from the director, unless otherwise provided by law; provided, that endangered species may be removed, captured or destroyed without permit by any person in emergency situations involving an immediate threat to human life or private property. Regulations governing the removal, capture or destruction of endangered species shall be adopted by the commission within one year after the effective date of the Wildlife Conservation Act.

History: 1953 Comp., § 53-2-55, enacted by Laws 1974, ch. 83, § 6.

"Effective date of the Wildlife Conservation Act". — The phrase "effective date of the Wildlife Conservation Act" means February 26, 1974, the effective date of Laws 1974, Chapter 83.

County ordinances conflicting with Wildlife Conservation Act are invalid. — County land use ordinances attempting to restrict traditional federal and state regulatory authority conflict with, and thus are preempted by, the state Wildlife Conservation Act. These ordinances cannot lawfully grant to the counties the option of taking over the state's designated role in planning for the recovery and management of threatened or endangered species. 1994 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 94-01.