Arizona refuge center now cares for and rehabilitates more than 300 animals
Whether it’s helping orphaned bears cubs, a beaver rescued from a canal or taking care of baby bobcats, foxes and raccoons displaced after storms, the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center is helping save Arizona’s wildlife — one animal at a time.
The Scottsdale wild animal rescue and rehabilitation center is celebrating the 25th Anniversary of its founding this year.
Southwest Wildlife’s journey began in the early 1990s when Linda Searles had a life-changing encounter with an orphaned coyote pup named ‘Don’.
A farmer accidently ran over a den of coyote puppies with his tractor. Don was the sole survivor. The farmer sought help for the puppy but there were no veterinarians available to help.
Fate eventually brought the farmer and Don to Linda Searles. Linda saw the pressing need for a rehabilitation and rescue center for wild animals.
That need became a reality in 1994 with the purchase of 10 acres of land in Scottsdale near 156th Street and Rio Verde Drive.
“Our goal has always been to save our wildlife one animal, one life at a time,” Searles said.
Twenty-five years later, the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center treats and houses more than 300 wild animals at a given time including bears, skunks, mountain lions, foxes, javelinas, wolves and a jaguar.
“Many of the animals we rescue are rehabilitated and are released back into the wild while others remain at our Nature Center and live with us in peace,” Searles said.
Southwest Wildlife operates solely from the public’s support and relies on donations and grants to keep the facility open with trained volunteers and veterinarians caring for the animals 24/7.
To make a donation, or for more information on how you can sponsor an animal, please visit www.southwestwildlife.org/donate
Public tours, small group outings and special event space is also available at Southwest Wildlife.
Twenty-five years later, the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center treats and houses more than 300 wild animals at a given time including bears, skunks, mountain lions, foxes, javelinas, wolves and a jaguar.
“Many of the animals we rescue are rehabilitated and are released back into the wild while others remain at our Nature Center and live with us in peace,” Searles said.
Southwest Wildlife operates solely from the public’s support and relies on donations and grants to keep the facility open with trained volunteers and veterinarians caring for the animals 24/7.
To make a donation, or for more information on how you can sponsor an animal, please visit www.southwestwildlife.org/donate Public tours, small group outings and special event space is also available at Southwest Wildlife.
