N.M. chipmunk teeters toward extinction

RUIDOSO, N.M. (KRQE) - A New Mexico chipmunk could be considered endangered or threatened, a federal agency has reported.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined the Peñasco least chipmunk is vulnerable to extinction, according to a report in the Ruidoso News .

The chipmunks are believed to live only in the Sacramento Mountains particularly near Sierra Blanca.

This comes nearly 20 years after ago the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish noted the Peñasco least chipmunk was in danger.

In its recently released report the USFWS listed the chipmunk as a "candidate species" for protection under the Endangered Species Act.  While the agency will work to conserve species like the chipmunk, they are not being listed for full protection under the law due to higher priorities and limited resources, the agency said.