Trump administration axes protection for New Mexico lesser prairie chickens

By: Danielle Prokop

Outlets: Source New Mexico

Published: February 26, 2026

Words: 392

Last Updated: 2 weeks ago

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The Trump administration officially on Wednesday stripped endangered species protections for the lesser prairie chicken, a species that lives in the scrublands of eastern New Mexico and West Texas. In response, conservation groups said they will continue ongoing legal appeals to reinstate the safeguards.

The mottled brown and white grouse, just bigger than a pigeon, is best known for its vibrant mating dance, in which the males inflate their cheek pouches with a booming call …

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