12 Tucson animal celebrities
From the obvious: Wilbur and Wilma — to the inanimate. Twelve animals Tucsonans recognize on the spot.
Wilbur and Wilma Wildcat
Wilbur and Wilma Wildcat are the highly recognizable mascots of the University of Arizona. Pictured here with alum Leslie Rupp and future alum Asha during homecoming festivities.
George the Tallest Dog
Giant George, a Tucson Great Dane, held the Guinness World Record title of World's Tallest Dog from 2010-2012. George measured 43 inches from foot to shoulder. He was the star of a popular book co-written by his owner Dave Nasser and visited "The Oprah Winfrey Show."
George died in October 2013 and a day of service dedicated to his memory was held in Tucson in November of that year.
Tuffy the pink rhino
From a 2012 Tucson Oddity article:
Modeled after a logo from a 1960s tire company, the bright pink horned animal with blue eyes, named "Tuffy," watches over customers and traffic from his perch atop Jack Furrier Tire & Auto Care shop on South Palo Verde Road near East Ajo Way.
When Jack Furrier opened his first location at 5852 E. Speedway in 1963 he had a local artist build Tuffy to celebrate the shop's grand opening.
Modeled after a cartoon character used by the now-closed Armstrong Tires - whose tires were considered "rhino-tough" - it is made from papier-mâché.
"It had a little motor in it that made the jaw move back and forth, and we had it wired up (for sound) and so two of my little kids would talk through the microphone," Furrier said. "They'd say 'Hi' to the kids, 'How are you doing? Where are you going? Do you like rhinos?' Just making idle conversation. I can tell you the kids really loved it."
Bridge bats
Large colonies of Mexican free-tailed bats spend their summers under several bridges around the Tucson area including those on Campbell Avenue at the Rillito, North First Avenue at the Rillito and Broadway at Pantano Wash.
At sunset during the summers about 40,000 bats fly out from under the bridge to hunt for insects.
Captain Henry of Instagram
Tucsonan Davida Larson's cat Captain Henry has more than 4,000 followers on Instagram and one-eye. The 11-year-old may or may not have lost the other eye in a Narwhal attack. Or to a feline herpes infection. You decide.
Nandi
Baby elephant Nandi was born at the Reid Park Zoo on Aug. 20, 2014. She was the first African elephant calf born in Arizona and videos of her antics have gone viral.
Backyard bobcats
A quick search of the Arizona Daily Star archives for "bobcat" and "yard" turns up dozens of different photos. We never get tired of seeing our neighbors' backyard bobcats.
This one was taken by Charles Hardy in his Foothills backyard. Hardy said the bobcat came into the yard, then jumped back up on the wall to watch over three cubs who played under the sprinklers.
Josie the World's Ugliest Dog contestant
Josie the dog, seen here with owner Linda Elmquist, came in second place in the 2016 World's Ugliest Dog competition.
Rattlesnake bridge
At East Broadway west of Euclid Avenue, the Rattlesnake Bridge (official boring name: Broadway Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge) boasts the face of a diamondback rattler with 11-foot-long fangs, lighted eyes and speakers that send a rattling sound reverberating throughout the translucent tunnel, which is painted with diamond shapes.
Free Flight raptors
A great horned owl buzzes over a crowd of spectators as they watch various birds of prey fly naturally and untethered during the Raptor Free Flight demonstration at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. As the birds zip by just feet from spectators' heads, volunteers narrate and explain facets of each species.
George L. Mountainlion
George L. Mountainlion, the inspiration for the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum's logo, was acquired in 1953. Since he arrived on Washington's birthday, the lion was named George, with the "L" added for Leo. George had his own column in the Sunday editions of the Arizona Daily Star. He died in 1955.
Southern Arizona Gila monsters
Our native monster seems to have a weakness for airports and backyard pools. This one was saved by the creepy-crawly.