If you want to take a walk on the wild side in 2025, consider exploring Born to Be Wild. The annual benefit for the Tucson Wildlife Center will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 23, at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, 7000 N. Resort Drive.
“We are the only wildlife rescue and rehabilitation hospital in Tucson and Southern Arizona. We run on donations and grants, with no government funding. We are a huge asset to the community and the only ones who do what we do,” said Hubert Parker, the center’s development director.
Parker emphasized that the center, which was founded 26 years ago, treats all forms of native wildlife except bears, mountain lions and deer, which are under the purview of the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
It provides care for about 4,000 animals annually — the majority of those between March and September — with the ultimate goal of releasing the animals back into the wild.
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“We care for everything from baby bunnies and birds to bobcats and javelina,” Parker said. “Our wildlife is unique and we have encroached on their habitat, so most of the animals who come to us are the result of interactions with humans in some form or fashion. We see broken bones and as well as animals who have been hurt from glue traps or window strikes or have been hit by a car.”
An orphaned bobcat at Tucson Wildlife Center sits next to a foster bobcat. An upcoming gala will benefit the center. It provides care for about 4,000 animals annually.
While birds and small animals can be delivered to the center at 13275 E. Speedway Blvd., specially-trained staff members will pick up raptors and large animals such as javelina, bobcats and owls. The center offers a 24-hour helpline at 520-290-9453.
“We ask that people call before they bring small animals in,” said Parker. “We can work with them to help re-nest baby birds and small bunnies. If small animals can stay with the mothers who are raising them, that is the best case scenario. Animals are not always orphaned just because you don’t see the mother nearby, so we try to help people understand the whole situation.”
For animals that are sick, injured or orphaned, the center’s Sam Goldman Wildlife Hospital utilizes state-of-the-art equipment, wildlife veterinarians and animal care specialists to provide round-the-clock care.
To facilitate this, the center seeks to raise $400,000 at the upcoming gala, which features cocktails, dinner, entertainment and a live and silent auction. Early bird tickets are $225 per person until Jan. 15; then, the price increases to $250 per person (buy tickets online at https://tucsonwildlife.com/2024-benefit/).
The event also features the TWC Raffle. Tickets are $100 each, and only 250 will be sold. You need not be present to win, and the winner can choose between a five-night vacation for two in Costa Rica, a seven-night vacation for two in Italy and $5,000 in cash. Visit https://tucsonwildlife.ejoinme.org/raffle for more information.
“We have great support from the community and many dedicated volunteers, but we have no income stream and we don’t charge for our services,” Parker said. “People can’t come and buy admission tickets and walk around to view the animals. We rely heavily on the gala, along with donations and grants, and as long as animals need our help, we are here. There is no one else.”
Go to https://tucsonwildlife.com/ to make an online donation or learn more about volunteering and supporting the organization.
