Michelle Lujan Grisham, the governor of New Mexico, announced in a press release the appointment of Christopher C. Witt to the State Game Commission. She highlighted his extensive avian research and ongoing work on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination as crucial for guiding safer hunting practices.
"Christopher C. Witt is a Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of New Mexico and Director of the Museum of Southwestern Biology," said Lujan Lujan Grisham. "Dr. Witt is currently studying PFAS contamination in game birds at Holloman Air Force Base and throughout New Mexico, research that will inform hunters about managing risks of consuming contaminated game. Under his leadership, the Museum of Southwestern Biology has grown to house more than 5 million specimens used in over 400 publications annually."
According to AP News, this appointment occurs amid increasing concerns over PFAS contamination at military sites in New Mexico and across the United States. Environmental regulators have recently issued warnings to hunters after detecting unprecedented levels of PFAS in wildlife near Holloman Air Force Base. This includes migratory waterfowl, small mammals, and plants.
A 2024 study published in Environmental Research, led by Witt, identified PFAS concentrations in liver tissues of 23 species at Holloman Air Force Base averaging over 10,000 ng/g wet weight. These levels have persisted for more than three decades and far exceed contamination thresholds, raising significant ecological and public health concerns.
Witt's research team conducted over 2,000 assays measuring 17 different PFAS compounds across various species and habitats. They confirmed contamination pathways through water, soil, sediment, invertebrates, and prey consumption. This comprehensive data informs game-bird consumption advisories for hunters throughout the state.
Witt earned his Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from Louisiana State University. He has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications on birds, including waterfowl, cranes, and hummingbirds. He also serves as director of the Museum of Southwestern Biology at the University of New Mexico (UNM).
