Wildlife and Bird Sanctuaries Near Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix, the sixth-largest U.S. city, is set amid the harsh yet beautiful climate of the Sonoran Desert, which stretches for more than 120,000 square miles in southwestern Arizona, southeastern California and Mexico. The Sonoran is home to a diverse mix of plants and wildlife, including about 2,000 native plant species, 350 varieties of birds, 100 types of reptiles and 60 species of mammals. A number of wildlife and bird sanctuaries in the Phoenix area help protect and care for some of these native species, as well as allow visitors to view and learn about the desert's inhabitants.

Phoenix Zoo

• The Phoenix Zoo, less than 8 miles east of downtown, is home to more than 1,300 animals, including approximately 200 endangered species from throughout the world. The zoo helps breed and maintain about three dozen endangered species with guidance from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Among the endangered or threatened wildlife species the zoo provides sanctuary to are the critically endangered Rothschild's mynahs, Chilean flamingos, African wild dogs, Asian elephants, Arabian oryx, Sumatran tigers, ocelots and Mexican gray wolves. Other animals on display include African lions, Andean bears and white rhinos, as well as native desert species such as coyotes and prairie dogs.

Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch

• The Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch in Gilbert, about 24 miles east of downtown Phoenix, is a 110-acre refuge with walking trails that wind around a recreational lake and seven ponds. More than 220 bird species have been sighted at the preserve, including falcons, hawks, hummingbirds, owls, woodpeckers and a variety of waterfowl. The preserve includes a floating boardwalk, botanical garden, children's play area, picnic areas, restroom facilities, regularly scheduled bird walks and a children's nature club.
• Phoenix Herpetological Society

• The Phoenix Herpetological Society, a reptile sanctuary located in Scottsdale, 25 miles northeast of downtown Phoenix, is home to more than 1,200 native and non-native reptile species, including alligators, crocodiles, green iguanas, monitors and tortoises. The society has glass-enclosed displays that provide up-close views of more than 80 species of venomous snakes such as the black mamba, vipers and rattlesnakes. The facility provides Saturday morning tours for a fee, and also has "Reptile Encounters" summer camps for children.

Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center

• The Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center in Scottsdale rescues and rehabilitates native mammals and birds that have been displaced or injured. The center releases rehabilitated animals back into the wild when possible, but gives them sanctuary if release is not an option. The center conducts public tours, but they must be arranged in advance. Among the species you might see are bears, bobcats, mule deer, foxes, javelinas, Mexican gray wolves, mountain lions and porcupines.

Other Sanctuaries

• Several other wildlife rehabilitation groups in the Phoenix area provide sanctuary and care to injured or displaced birds and/or small mammals. Although the organizations do not have facilities that are open to the public, they typically accept volunteers and provide off-site educational presentations at schools and special events throughout the region. These include the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center in Phoenix, East Valley Wildlife in Chandler and the Liberty Wildlife Rehabilitation Foundation in Scottsdale. At time of publication, Liberty Wildlife was raising funds for a new wildlife center that would be open to the public.