{"id":17868,"date":"2025-03-28T14:05:39","date_gmt":"2025-03-28T21:05:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.azgfd.com\/?page_id=17868"},"modified":"2025-04-30T08:45:18","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T15:45:18","slug":"the-need-for-wildlife-mangement","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.azgfd.com\/wildlife-conservation\/the-need-for-wildlife-mangement\/","title":{"rendered":"The Need for Wildlife Management"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Learn About Our Science-Based Wildlife Management Efforts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Arizona is home to more than 800 species of wildlife, making it one of the most biologically diverse states in the country. The Arizona Game and Fish Department\u2019s mission is to conserve and protect all of these species, for today and for future generations. Arizona\u2019s wildlife is diverse \u2014 and so, too, is the work of our biologists. Using science-based wildlife management methods, our wildlife experts work to maintain sustainable species populations and mitigate human-wildlife conflicts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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AZGFD biologist attempts to band a fledging bald eagle in its nest on the face of a cliff<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Science-Based Conservation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Wildlife is affected by a variety of factors that may have negative impacts on their populations and therefore require active management actions to address these impacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Department\u2019s wide range of innovative programs are up to the challenge of conserving and protecting Arizona\u2019s diverse wildlife resources. Using the best available science to manage wildlife populations for sustainability, the Department takes action to ensure that Arizona\u2019s diverse ecosystems remain intact.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Bear perches on a home patio eating seed from a bird feeder hanging from a tree\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Protecting You and Our Wildlife<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Large predators can pose a threat to the people of Arizona, and many predator species are more abundant than people realize. They are elusive and often stay out of sight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When predator species and humans come face to face, the danger is real. As Arizona’s communities expand, human-wildlife conflicts will happen. Our science-based wildlife management methods help keep communities safe by mitigating the impacts of human-wildlife conflicts, protecting you and our wildlife.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Conservation Success Stories<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The work of the Department has resulted in success stories for Arizona\u2019s wildlife statewide for decades and continues to this day.

Using science and partnering with other agencies, the Department developed overpasses and underpasses designed to allow wildlife to safely cross highways. These crossings help prevent a lack of habitat connectivity, wildlife-vehicle collisions, and interference with wildlife\u2019s access to adequate water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As part of its vital on-the-ground conservation work, the Department carefully enhances habitats and repopulates native species while monitoring the results on larger ecosystems. There are many examples of such conservation work. Some species had dwindled or disappeared from the state entirely, but thanks to active management are around today including bald eagles<\/a>, Sonoran pronghorn<\/a>, Gila trout<\/a>, Gould\u2019s turkeys<\/a>, black-footed ferrets<\/a>, Mexican wolves<\/a>, Chiricahua leopard frogs<\/a> and black-tailed prairie dogs<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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See Our Species Section for Details<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Predator Species Management<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Predators and predation also play key roles within Arizona\u2019s ecosystems, influencing not only populations of species that are preyed upon, but the larger ecosystem as a whole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As it does with all species, the Department actively monitors and manages predator populations for sustainability using the best available science and taking the variability of ecological factors into account. One key predator management tool is the legal and highly regulated hunting of these species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Department manages predatory species based on the following principles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n