DEMING – A male black bear was struck and killed by a vehicle on Interstate 10 just outside Deming on Monday, October 26, 2026, highlighting an increase in bear movement across New Mexico as the animals search for food and water.
According to a report in the Las Cruces Sun-News, the bear’s carcass remained along Interstate 10 on Monday, attracting the attention of passing motorists, some of whom pulled over to look at the unusual sight.
Darren Vaughan, communications director for the New Mexico Department of Wildlife, told the Sun-News that bears have been traveling greater distances throughout the state because of limited natural food sources.
Vaughan explained that a shortage of seasonal foods, including nuts, seeds, fruits and berries, has contributed to increased bear activity and movement into areas where people live and spend time outdoors.
The incident comes during a year of unusually high numbers of human-bear encounters in New Mexico. According to a September report by New Mexico in Depth, state wildlife officials have recorded an unprecedented number of encounters involving black bears.
Although sightings are uncommon in the Deming area, bears have previously wandered into Luna County communities.
In 2015, wildlife officers captured a young bear roaming through a Deming neighborhood and safely relocated it to the Gila wilderness. Another incident occurred in 2022 when wildlife officers removed a bear cub from a tree in Deming.
Black bears are native to New Mexico, but their search for food and water can sometimes bring them into populated areas and across heavily traveled highways.
Wildlife officials remind motorists that encounters involving bears and other large animals can create serious hazards for drivers and passengers.
Vaughan advised anyone involved in a collision with wildlife to first move to a safe location and contact law enforcement to report the incident and any injuries.
Motorists should never approach an injured bear or other large wild animal because the animal may become frightened or defensive, creating an additional danger.
Law enforcement personnel will notify the New Mexico Department of Wildlife, which will send an officer to assess the animal’s condition and determine the appropriate response.
The incident serves as a reminder that even in the desert landscape surrounding Deming, motorists may encounter wildlife not typically associated with the area.
John Krehbiel – Bravo Mic Communications – john@bravomic.com
