ELECTRIC BUSES-ALBUQUERQUE
Albuquerque to test electric passenger bus on city route
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — City officials in New Mexico have welcomed back electric buses after failed attempts in years past with the Albuquerque Rapid Transit. Transit Department Director Danny Holcomb said on Friday that the electric bus service will begin operations on Saturday on a single route. Holcomb said multiple routes will be added to test how the vehicle's battery life will be affected. Holcomb said the 40-foot bus can carry 37 passengers and is expected to run up to 175 miles a day in one charge. The leased bus will serve as a test, as the city anticipates purchasing five before the end of the year. Each bus will cost about $925,000.

CAPITOL BREACH-COWBOYS FOR TRUMP
Cowboys for Trump leader refuses virus test in jail
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The jailed leader of Cowboys for Trump has been held in solitary isolation for two weeks as he refused to take a coronavirus test. U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui on Friday said Couy Griffin also ejected offers to speak with an attorney regarding his arrest in connection with the Jan. 6 siege on the U.S. Capitol. Griffin has been jailed and charged by federal prosecutors with entering the Capitol grounds. He was arrested Jan. 17 as he returned to Washington. Griffin has said he wasn't involved in violence at the Capitol and never went inside the building as he waded among throngs of Trump supporters on an outer balcony. 

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico reports 752 additional COVID-19 cases, 17 deaths
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico on Saturday reported 752 additional known COVID-19 cases and 17 deaths, increasing the state's pandemic totals to 173,539 cases and 3,265 deaths. Nearly all the additional deaths involved people in their 70s, 80s and 90s. In another development, Santa Fe's school superintendent announced Saturday that schools will reopen in a voluntary hybrid model on Feb. 22. That's two weeks after when state officials have said New Mexico school districts and charter schools can reopen. Superintendent Veronica Garcia said the Feb. 22 date provides time to inspect schools and for teachers to set up their classrooms while giving families and staff at least two weeks notice as promised.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-TRIBAL HOSPITAL
New Mexico tribe sues US over hospital closure amid pandemic
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico Indigenous tribe is suing the U.S. government, claiming federal health officials have violated the law by ending emergency and in-patient medical care at a hospital on tribal lands. Acoma Pueblo Gov. Brian Vallo said during a briefing Friday that the tribe's pleas have fallen on deaf ears and that the lack of emergency health care services could not have come at a worse time as COVID-19 continues to take a toll on his community. Acoma is asking a federal judge to overturn a decision by the Indian Health Service to shutter the facility. The agency argues that it hasn't violated the law.

TRAIN DERAILMENT-CHARGESS
Man faces federal charges in New Mexico train derailment
VADO, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico man is facing federal charges for allegedly derailing a freight train. Federal prosecutors say Luis Angel Rodriguez made an initial court appearance Friday. The 27-year-old La Mesa man will remain in custody pending a preliminary hearing. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney. Authorities say Rodriguez in the early morning hours of Dec. 2 allegedly placed railroad ties on the track near Vado. That caused two Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway locomotives and 12 empty rail cars to derail, resulting in millions of dollars in damage. The conductor and engineer also were injured. 

PRIVATE PRISONS-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico prison chief says private jails needed, for now
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico is sticking with its approach to contracting with privately operated prisons — and possibly phasing them out as time and money allow. State Corrections Secretary Alisha Tafoya Lucero on Thursday spoke out in opposition to a bill that would make it unlawful for the state and local governments to contract with private prisons across New Mexico. The bill from Democratic legislators including Rep. Angelica Rubio of Las Cruces would cut loose three private prison operators that oversee four New Mexico facilities — and nearly half of state inmates. The proposal responds to calls for more accountability in the criminal justice system. Tafoya Lucero says the proposal is impractical.

NEW MEXICO-COAL PLANT
Groups challenge utility plan to dump New Mexico power plant
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Environmentalists are challenging an effort by New Mexico's largest electric provider to abandon its interest in the coal-fired Four Corners Power Plant ahead of schedule. In a filing with state regulators, they say the plan would violate provisions of the state's landmark energy law. The groups argue that the statute prohibits fossil fuel-fired plants from being reassigned or sold as a means of complying with renewable energy standards. Public Service Co. of New Mexico earlier this month filed an application with regulators, seeking to offload its 13% ownership share. The plant provides power to customers in New Mexico and Arizona.

OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING-LOS LUNAS
NMSP probes officer-involved shooting of man in Las Lunas
LAS LUNAS, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico State Police are investigating the non-fatal shooting of an armed man by Los Lunas police earlier this week. The officers say they returned gunfire after the suspect shot at them while attempting to flee on foot Monday across Interstate 25 in Los Lunas. The officers were not hurt. State police said Friday the suspect will face unspecified criminal charges upon his release from an Albuquerque hospital for what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries. He has not been identified. The officers say they say shot him at least once after he fired at them while running across the interstate into a field.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
Legislator tests positive for coronavirus within Capitol
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The Democratic speaker of the state House is restricting access by lawmakers to the House floor and closing off conference rooms after the disclosure that a Republican legislator tested positive for COVID-19, along with several earlier positive tests among legislative staff. Speaker Brian Egolf of Santa Fe said Friday that he will begin restricting in-person access to House floor sessions to himself and one additional person from each political party. That would establish almost entirely online participation in House committee hearings and floor debates. The Capitol is closed to the public. Republican House Minority Leader Jim Townsend said the COVID-positive male lawmaker is asymptomatic and doing fine.
 
VIRUS OUTBREAK-TRIBAL HOSPITAL
New Mexico tribe sues US over hospital closure amid pandemic
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico Indigenous tribe is suing the U.S. government, claiming federal health officials have violated the law by ending emergency and in-patient medical care at a hospital on tribal lands. Acoma Pueblo Gov. Brian Vallo said during a briefing Friday that the tribe's pleas have fallen on deaf ears and that the lack of emergency health care services could not have come at a worse time as COVID-19 continues to take a toll on his community. Acoma is asking a federal judge to overturn a decision by the Indian Health Service to shutter the facility. The agency argues that it hasn't violated the law.

​CAPITOL BREACH-COWBOYS FOR TRUMP
Cowboys for Trump leader refuses virus test in jail
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The jailed leader of Cowboys for Trump has been held in solitary isolation for two weeks as he refused to take a coronavirus test. U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui on Friday said Couy Griffin also ejected offers to speak with an attorney regarding his arrest in connection with the Jan. 6 siege on the U.S. Capitol. Griffin has been jailed and charged by federal prosecutors with entering the Capitol grounds. He was arrested Jan. 17 as he returned to Washington. Griffin has said he wasn't involved in violence at the Capitol and never went inside the building as he waded among throngs of Trump supporters on an outer balcony. 

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
Legislator tests positive for coronavirus within Capitol
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The Democratic speaker of the state House is restricting access by lawmakers to the House floor and closing off conference rooms after the disclosure that a Republican legislator tested positive for COVID-19, along with several earlier positive tests among legislative staff. Speaker Brian Egolf of Santa Fe said Friday that he will begin restricting in-person access to House floor sessions to himself and one additional person from each political party. That would establish almost entirely online participation in House committee hearings and floor debates. The Capitol is closed to the public. Republican House Minority Leader Jim Townsend said the COVID-positive male lawmaker is asymptomatic and doing fine.
 
VIRUS OUTBREAK-TRIBAL HOSPITAL
New Mexico tribe sues US over hospital closure amid pandemic
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico Indigenous tribe is suing the U.S. government, claiming federal health officials have violated the law by ending emergency and in-patient medical care at a hospital on tribal lands. Acoma Pueblo Gov. Brian Vallo said during a briefing Friday that the tribe's pleas have fallen on deaf ears and that the lack of emergency health care services could not have come at a worse time as COVID-19 continues to take a toll on his community. Acoma is asking a federal judge to overturn a decision by the Indian Health Service to shutter the facility. The agency argues that it hasn't violated the law.

TRAIN DERAILMENT-CHARGESS
Man faces federal charges in New Mexico train derailment
VADO, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico man is facing federal charges for allegedly derailing a freight train. Federal prosecutors say Luis Angel Rodriguez made an initial court appearance Friday. The 27-year-old La Mesa man will remain in custody pending a preliminary hearing. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney. Authorities say Rodriguez in the early morning hours of Dec. 2 allegedly placed railroad ties on the track near Vado. That caused two Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway locomotives and 12 empty rail cars to derail, resulting in millions of dollars in damage. The conductor and engineer also were injured. 

PRIVATE PRISONS-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico prison chief says private jails needed, for now
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico is sticking with its approach to contracting with privately operated prisons — and possibly phasing them out as time and money allow. State Corrections Secretary Alisha Tafoya Lucero on Thursday spoke out in opposition to a bill that would make it unlawful for the state and local governments to contract with private prisons across New Mexico. The bill from Democratic legislators including Rep. Angelica Rubio of Las Cruces would cut loose three private prison operators that oversee four New Mexico facilities — and nearly half of state inmates. The proposal responds to calls for more accountability in the criminal justice system. Tafoya Lucero says the proposal is impractical.

NEW MEXICO-COAL PLANT
Groups challenge utility plan to dump New Mexico power plant
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Environmentalists are challenging an effort by New Mexico's largest electric provider to abandon its interest in the coal-fired Four Corners Power Plant ahead of schedule. In a filing with state regulators, they say the plan would violate provisions of the state's landmark energy law. The groups argue that the statute prohibits fossil fuel-fired plants from being reassigned or sold as a means of complying with renewable energy standards. Public Service Co. of New Mexico earlier this month filed an application with regulators, seeking to offload its 13% ownership share. The plant provides power to customers in New Mexico and Arizona.

OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING-LOS LUNAS
NMSP probes officer-involved shooting of man in Las Lunas
LAS LUNAS, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico State Police are investigating the non-fatal shooting of an armed man by Los Lunas police earlier this week. The officers say they returned gunfire after the suspect shot at them while attempting to flee on foot Monday across Interstate 25 in Los Lunas. The officers were not hurt. State police said Friday the suspect will face unspecified criminal charges upon his release from an Albuquerque hospital for what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries. He has not been identified. The officers say they say shot him at least once after he fired at them while running across the interstate into a field.

PAROLE VIOLATOR-CARLSBAD ARREST
Carlsbad parole violator rams deputy cruiser before arrest
CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) — A 29-year-old parole violator has been arrested on multiple charges after he allegedly injured two Eddy County sheriff's detectives when he rammed their patrol vehicle while trying to elude them in Carlsbad. The New Mexico State Police said Friday each officer fired at least one shot at the suspect Wednesday but he wasn't hit. He continued to attempt to flee before his vehicle became disabled from and caught on fire. EJ G. Kincaid of Carlsbad and both officers were hospitalized for non-life-threatening injuries suffered in the crash. Kincaid was booked on suspicion of four counts, including aggravated battery on a peace officer.

PRIVATE PRISONS-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico prison chief says private jails needed, for now
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico is sticking with its approach to contracting with privately operated prisons — and possibly phasing them out as time and money allow. State Corrections Secretary Alisha Tafoya Lucero on Thursday spoke out in opposition to a bill that would make it unlawful for the state and local governments to contract with private prisons across New Mexico. The bill from Democratic legislators including Rep. Angelica Rubio of Las Cruces would cut loose three private prison operators that oversee four New Mexico facilities — and nearly half of state inmates. The proposal responds to calls for more accountability in the criminal justice system. Tafoya Lucero says the proposal is impractical.

LEGISLATURE-INDIAN EDUCATION
Indian education funding at stake in New Mexico legislature
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Indian education advocates in the New Mexico legislature are proposing $153 million in education funding as part of the so-called "tribal remedy framework." Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has suggested around $15 million. Despite the gap, Legislators serving large tribal constituents say the administration is starting to embrace tribal remedies and address problems in the education system highlighted in recent lawsuits. State courts have found current funding structures to be deficient and discriminatory, harming Native American, Hispanic, and low-income students. A recent ruling in federal court against state education funding practices was met with a change of tone by state officials.

LEGISLATURE-COMMUNITY SOLAR
New Mexico community solar proposal clears first hurdle
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A proposal that would allow community solar programs to be established in New Mexico has cleared its first legislative hurdle despite questions from some lawmakers and concerns among investor-owned utilities. The bill cleared the Senate Conservation Committee on a party-line vote Thursday. Democrats said it would complement state mandates for generating electricity from renewable resources by expanding access to solar energy for businesses and residents who are unable to put up their own solar panels. Republican lawmakers said there are still uncertainties about the costs for utility customers. Some lawmakers also said the bill should include a preference for New Mexico-based solar providers.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
Downward trend of COVID-19 cases continues in New Mexico
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico health officials have reported an additional 678 confirmed COVID-19 infections, bringing the statewide total since the pandemic began to nearly 172,000 cases. The latest figures include 20 inmates at three of the state's prisons. Overall, confirmed cases and related deaths have been trending downward along with hospitalizations. Meanwhile, vaccinations are underway for the oldest New Mexicans as well as those who have pre-existing conditions that put them at higher risk. More than 86% of the 276,850 doses that have been shipped to New Mexico have been administered. More than 530,000 residents have registered to receive the vaccine.

STAMP SCAM
Man sentenced in $400,000 nationwide postal stamp scam
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A man has been sentenced in Florida to six years and six months in federal prison for a $400,000 nationwide postal stamp scam. Court records show that 49-year-old Edward Morgan was sentenced Wednesday in Tampa federal court. He pleaded guilty in September 2019 to theft of government funds. As part of his sentence, Morgan must repay $405,935.76, the proceeds of the theft. From November 2016 until his May 2019 arrest in New Mexico, prosecutors say Morgan used fictitious checks to purchase stamps at hundreds of U.S. Post Office locations in Florida and other states. Prosecutors said Morgan resold the stamps to unsuspecting third parties, usually businesses or stamp traders.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION-DEATH TOTAL
Navajo Nation reports 11 COVID-19 deaths, reaches 1,000 mark
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — Navajo Nation health officials on Thursday reported 11 more COVID-19 deaths to reach the 1,000 mark since the pandemic began. They also reported 59 new coronavirus cases to bring the total reported cases on the reservation to 27,987. On Monday, the tribe extended its stay-at-home order with a revised nightly curfew to limit the spread of COVID-19.  The Navajo Department of Health has identified 53 communities with uncontrolled spread of the coronavirus, down from 75 communities in recent weeks. The Navajo Nation also is lifting weekend lockdowns to allow more vaccination events. The actions in the latest public health emergency order will run through at least Feb. 15. The Navajo Nation extends into Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.  

TRIPLE SHOOTING-ALBUQUERQUE
Albuquerque police: Triple shooting leaves 2 dead, 1 injured
Albuquerque police say no immediate arrest has been made in a triple shooting that left two people dead and a third person wounded. No identities were released but police said two women were killed and a man wounded in the Wednesday night incident at an apartment complex in northeast Albuquerque. The wounded man was reported to be hospitalized in stable condition. No additional information was released.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
Navajo Nation reports error in hardship assistance checks
FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — The Navajo Nation says about 120,000 checks have been issued to tribal members who applied for hardship assistance amid the coronavirus pandemic. The tribal controller's office says the total includes 370 checks that were duplicated because of a printer server failure. Controller Pearline Kirk says office personnel are planning to contact applicants affected by the error with more information. Staff also will void duplicate checks that haven't been processed. The hardship assistance program is paid for by a portion of the $714 million the Navajo Nation received from a federal coronavirus relief bill.  

By MORGAN LEE Associated Press
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Defense attorneys for jailed Cowboys for Trump leader Couy Griffin urged a federal judge Wednesday to release the New Mexico county commissioner and gun rights advocate as he awaits trial in Washington in connection with the siege on the U.S. Capitol.
Federal prosecutors want Griffin, a resident of Tularosa, held without bail in Washington — as a flight risk and danger to others — on charges that he knowingly entered the Capitol grounds with the intent to disrupt government business. Prosecutors cite a history of threatening comments, racial invective, access to firearms and vows that Joe Biden would never be president.


In federal court filings, attorneys for Griffin said federal authorities have been misleading and selective in their characterization of Griffin’s comments to FBI agents and in public, noting that he is a Christian pastor and “not a mafia member.”
The filings also show that Griffin told FBI agents that he never went inside the Capitol. He did, however, post videos on social media showing himself on an exterior balcony of the Capitol amid throngs of Donald Trump supporters as a mob stormed the building.
He was arrested by U.S. Capitol Police on Jan. 17 after returning to Washington, vowing opposition to President Joe Biden’s election victory and inauguration.
More than 150 people have been charged in federal court with crimes following the Jan. 6 riot.


“If the government is not going to prosecute most of the 800 people who surged into the building, why should they continue to pursue Mr. Griffin, who didn’t even approach the entrance to the Capitol building?" attorneys for Griffin said in court filings. “By the time the court reads this, Mr. Griffin will have already spent over a week in solitary detention at the D.C. jail, which ought to be enough to punish him for his actions.”
Before returning to Washington, Griffin spoke at a meeting of the Otero County Commission at length about his presence at the U.S. Capitol as riots broke out and the building was breached and about his plans to return to Washington with guns in his vehicle.
Griffin's attorneys say the guns were a self-defense precaution in response to threats, saying Griffin explained in public and in interviews by the FBI that he was worried about online threats. On the way to Washington, Griffin said he decided to leave his guns with friends in Pennsylvania and was arrested unarmed.
Defense attorneys released FBI summaries of its interviews with Griffin and a companion videographer for Cowboys for Trump. Griffin told agents that he began his journey to Washington on Dec. 28 in El Paso, Texas, with members of the Women for America group.


As rioters stormed the Capitol, Griffin said, he was “caught up in the crowd” and "pushed through the barricades" as Trump supporters overwhelmed Capitol police. He later seized a megaphone to deliver a prayer to the crowd.
The angry mob acted as Congress was considering Electoral College votes. Protesters ransacked hallways, broke down doors and attempted to break into the House chamber with lawmakers hiding inside. They rifled through desks on the empty Senate floor and hunted for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and then-Vice President Mike Pence, who was in the Capitol overseeing the certification of Biden’s election victory.
​

SCHOOL REOPENING HURDLES
Vaccines among last hurdles to open New Mexico classrooms
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — After nearly a year on lockdown, the governor says New Mexico school districts can offer in-person learning starting on Feb. 8 regardless of virus levels in their county. That's a relief for students who miss their friends or fell behind because they didn't have internet or electricity. So what happens now? Teacher unions say members need vaccines and COVID-19 sick leave. Rio Rancho Public Schools struck a deal with the union for 10 days of virus-related leave. They can't use it for quarantine due to out-of-state-travel, though. Vaccine shortages have led to clinics at large public schools getting canceled.

LEGISLATURE-HAIR DISCRIMINATION
New Mexico lawmakers consider hair discrimination bill
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A bill to protect New Mexico residents from discrimination stemming from hairstyles or religious coverings is gaining traction in the state Legislature. It cleared the House Education Committee on Wednesday. If approved and signed by the governor, New Mexico would become the eighth state to protect students and workers from discrimination against hairstyles and head coverings that express a person's religious, cultural or racial identity. Black and Native American women told lawmakers stories of institutions treating them differently because of their hairstyles. Across the country, workers have been pressured to cut or chemically alter their hair to satisfy employer grooming codes. 

LEGISLATURE-NEW MEXICO
State relief plans take shape at New Mexico Legislature
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — An economic relief package is taking shape at the New Mexico Legislature as a Senate panel endorsed a $600 rebate to low-income workers and a separate bill that would waive licensing fees on liquor stores. Residents of New Mexico who earned up to $31,200 during 2020 would be eligible for the $600 payout or credit against tax liabilities under a bill that also provides a temporary tax break for restaurants as they endure restrictions on indoor dining. A panel of lawmakers unanimously advanced those proposals on Tuesday.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
Navajo Nation reports 152 new COVID-19 cases, 4 more deaths
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — Navajo Nation health officials on Wednesday reported 152 new COVID-19 cases and four more deaths. The latest figures bring the total reported coronavirus cases on the reservation to 27,887 with 989 known deaths. On Monday, the tribe extended its stay-at-home order with a revised nightly curfew to limit the spread of COVID-19. The Navajo Department of Health has identified 53 communities with uncontrolled spread of the coronavirus, down from 75 communities in recent weeks. The Navajo Nation also is lifting weekend lockdowns to allow more vaccination events. The actions in the latest public health emergency order will run through at least Feb. 15.  The Navajo Nation extends into Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. 

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
Officials: Most New Mexico counties see virus improvements
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico health officials say almost all of the state's 33 counties have shown improvements over the last two weeks when it comes to reducing daily case totals and test positivity rates. New data released Wednesday shows seven counties have improved to the yellow category while sparsely populated Harding County remains green. The rest of the counties — including those that span New Mexico's most populated areas — remain in the red zone due to higher risks. However, state officials say more than two-thirds of the counties are on the cusp of reaching the metrics required for yellow classification. Overall, daily COVID-19 case counts and hospitalizations have been trending downward. 

CAPITOL BREACH-COWBOYS FOR TRUMP
Cowboys for Trump leader seeks release from Washington jail
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Attorneys for jailed Cowboys for Trump leader Couy Griffin urged a federal judge Wednesday to release the New Mexico county commissioner and gun rights advocate as he awaits trial in Washington in connection with the siege on the U.S. Capitol. Federal prosecutors want Griffin, a resident of Tularosa, held without bail on charges that he knowingly entered the Capitol grounds with the intent to disrupt government business. They have called for a hearing to show there is a serious risk that Griffin would flee and poses a danger, noting a history of threatening comments, racial invective, access to firearms and vows that Joe Biden would never be president. 

OIL AND GAS-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico senators, advocates back Biden oil and gas plans
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Local officials and residents in New Mexico's oil patches are anxious as the Biden administration takes aim at the oil and natural gas industry with a series of new executive orders. But the state's two U.S. senators support the actions, saying it's time to rethink the nation's energy policies and move toward what Democrat Martin Heinrich described as a zero-pollution economy. Freshman Republican U.S. Rep. Yvette Herrell says the president's actions are hasty and could have dire consequences given the industry's effect on New Mexico's bottom line. National industry officials echoed those concerns Wednesday, noting that America's appetite for energy is only going to increase as the economy recovers.

SNOW LEOPARD-DEAD
Beloved, older snow leopard dies at Albuquerque zoo
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A zoo in Albuquerque has announced that its longtime resident snow leopard named Azeo has died. The ABQ BioPark Zoo says the 19-year-old snow leopard was found dead in his outdoor exhibit space Thursday after spending more than 15 years at the zoo. Results from a necropsy are pending. Snow leopards usually live up to 12 years in the wild and up to 15 years in captivity. Park officials say most snow leopards are elusive and solitary but that Azeo was gentle with the female leopards and interacted with zoo employees. Azeo came to New Mexico from the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Canada.