Wildlife
Submitted by Vern Alexander
As 49ers homeowners, we are fortunate to live in the lush Tanque Verde Valley with an abundance of wildlife. We share our property with the wild animals because of the Valley’s plentiful water and vegetation. We are thrilled by the sight of a red-tailed hawk lazily riding the wind currents, a great horned owl sitting quietly in the foliage of a eucalyptus tree or a family herd of javelinas passing slowly through the yard.
These wonders of nature occur every day in 49ers and serve to delight us as part of the local environment. Yet, what would you do if you found one of these beautiful animals injured, sick or orphaned? Who would you call for help?
We are very fortunate that professional help is just around the corner. The Tucson Wildlife Center is located on Speedway Blvd., just east of Wentworth Ave. They provide lifesaving and medical care services for distressed wildlife in Southern Arizona. After treatment and rehabilitation, the wildlife are released back to their natural habitat.
Tucson Wildlife Center is a registered non-profit and tax-exempt organization and receives no government funding. It does not charge for its services and relies solely on public donations for its support.
The Center is licensed by the Federal Government and the State of Arizona for the care and rehabilitation of all Southern Arizona wildlife, including endangered and threatened species. The Center is directed by Lisa Bates, a certified wildlife rehabilitator, and is staffed by volunteers trained in wildlife care and rehabilitation.
The Center provides 24/7 emergency phone service, capture and transportation throughout Southern Arizona, and a 24-hour emergency room. Wildlife include eagles, hawks, owls, herons, pelicans, javelinas, bobcats, raccoons, foxes, coyotes, bats, vultures, among others.
The Tucson Wildlife Center is always in need of cash donations for animal food, medicine, emergency medical equipment, specialized veterinary surgeries, vehicle maintenance and operation, larger animal enclosures and facility maintenance. All donations directly benefit the wildlife and their care. Donors will receive a receipt for tax purposes.
Donations may be sent to the Tucson Wildlife Center, P.O. Box 18320, Tucson, AZ 85731. For more information, call the Center at (520) 290-9453 or Visit their website at www.tucsonwildlife.com.
