Wildlife abounds in Gila National Forest. A common big game species on the Gila is the Rocky Mountain mule deer. There also are many of the beautiful Sonoran whitetail or "Coues" deer. Antelope find forage on the grassland areas, and black bear, deer, and turkey are found throughout the forest. Javelina, or peccary, prefer to live in the warmer parts of the Gila. Where the now extinct Merriam's elk once reigned, the majestic Rocky Mountain elk now roam in significant numbers ranging from the lower elevations of piqon and juniper country up into the aspen high country. Ft. Bayard Wildlife Refuge, east of Silver City, offers the unique possibility of viewing elk habits during the fall breeding season. In 1964, bighorn sheep were reintroduced into the Gila country and have since held their own.
The Gila's other wildlife include the reclusive mountain lion, porcupines, bobcats, ringtails, coatis, several species of bats, many small mammals, and 291 species of birds, including golden eagles, goshawks, and the great horned, flammulated, and Mexican spotted owls. Altogether, there are 453 species of vertebrates to be found in the Gila, including 35 sensitive, threatened, or endangered species.
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