Tucson Wildlife Center - Wild Animal Rescue, Rehabilitate, Release

Wild Animal
Rescue • Rehabilitation • Release
Tucson Arizona

About Tucson Wildlife Center

Our center always has and always will be first and foremost about the animals that need our care. We are dedicated to this mission and we approach this through our program of the three R's
Rescue - Rehabilitate - Release
We also see research and education as a vital part
of the protection and the care of Tucson's wildlife.

TWC reaches out...

Licensed to rehabilitate and experienced in all native species of wildlife; including endangered species

24 hours / 7 days a week phone line

Dedicated vehicle for captures, pickups, and transport

Certified for chemical capture techniques

Veterinarians available that will handle injured dangerous wildlife

Foster parenting for many species

Transport for release back to original territory

Soft release using acclimation pens

Research and publishing

Educational outreach programs

Our Beginning
      Tucson Wildlife Center became a 501(c) non-profit organization in April of 2000 founded by Lisa Bates M.S. and Peter Lininger. At that time we were immediately available to take in wild animals that had nowhere else to go. Special training, equipment and permits were obtained to handle the larger, potentially dangerous wildlife. The animals literally began pouring through the front door of the Center.

Our Community
      Tucson Wildlife Center is an organization that is there for you when you need help with wildlife that are injured, sick or orphaned. Sometimes only advice is needed. Other times, the animal is brought to us or we go to them.

      We at TWC are dedicated to the safety of our community and the wildlife that coincides with us. Our procedures focus on rescuing animals with a minimal amount of stress and a maximum amount of safety to the public, our volunteers and the animals.

      Your concern for the wildlife around you is greeted with respect and appreciation. Caring and involved citizens are the lifeblood of our rescue efforts and we could not do what we do without you. So from all the volunteers and the animals at the Tucson Wildlife Center we thank you.

Our Service
       We specialize in the capture and treatment of the dangerous variety of animals such as javelina, bobcat, eagles or mountain lion. Hopefully, they are nursed back to health for eventual release back into the wild. We have a crackerjack staff of volunteer veterinarians. When release is not possible, placement in a sanctuary can be sought. Sometimes, animals that are beyond care are humanely put down to end their suffering. We are able to provide all these services free of charge because of generous donations from our community.

       Tucson Wildlife Center works with several veterinarians, many community volunteers, the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the University of Arizona in helping wild animals recover from their injuries or other problems to get them ready for life back in the wild. Much planning is done to assure the best reintroduction of these animals back into their native habitat and preferably their original territory when animal and community safety is not in question.

Our Facility
      Our facility is set up to handle all of the larger animal species. We are one of the only centers in the area that can handle some of the more sizeable native and federally protected animals and we specialize in raptors (birds of prey, i.e. hawks, owls and eagles) and javelina.

      Our Center is located on the far east side covering Tucson and all of Southern Arizona to help large birds, small and large mammals and any animal species other centers will not handle. We work with other rehabilitation centers like a network here in Tucson… taking turns manning the “wildlife Helpline”, referring concerned citizens to the rehab specialist that can best assist them in each individual situation and advising each other on animal care and resources.

       Tucson Arizona's continual skyrocketing growth and expansion has caused an ever-increasing number of human-wildlife conflicts, most ending with the animal being injured, orphaned, abandoned or killed. Our facilities, training, and staff are top notch in Southern Arizona. However, due to the increasing number of human-animal conflicts we desperately need to expand. More enclosures, another flight cage, and expanded medical facilities must be built to handle the increasing workload.

Our Continued Involvement
       Research into all aspects of rehabilitation is an ongoing effort. We always keep abreast of the latest medical information and release techniques. We conduct our own research when unanswered questions need to be answered, i.e. successful javelina release techniques.

       TWC conducts outreach programs with our education animals. With live presentations and demonstrations designed to create awareness and understanding of wildlife, rehabilitation and to encourage a closer connection with nature and conservation. Not to mention that it is just exciting to see these animals up close and personal.

      Tucson Wildlife Center is working on education programs on camera and online for outreach throughout Southern Arizona. TWC is using cameras and infrared cameras to monitor rehab progress and will install cameras in several areas of the hospital and outlying enclosures. The cameras will allow the public to view the recovering animals without any disturbance. We hope to have a live link feed and play back where the public can go online and view certain happenings, like a surgery, or baby owls hatching in the Centers wild nest. This year we... watched a baby bobcat and his surrogate mother being introduced and playing via hidden camera, have captured some great release footage and are working on other hidden cameras in our facilities. We hope to have some of this footage available to the public soon.

Latest Developments
      We are also excited to announce that we are expanding our facilities to handle the ever increasing needs of our community and its wildlife. We are on the ground floor of building Southern Arizona's first full-service wildlife hospital. We appreciate the outpouring of support from the community and would like to thank you for your continued support and donations. Please tell your family, friends and neighbors about the wildlife in need and what they can do to help.