Media Kit
Who We Are
Liberty Wildlife is a 501 (c) 3 not for profit organization dedicated to nurturing the nature of Arizona through conservation, education, wildlife rehabilitation and sustainability. We are mainly a volunteer based organization of about 250-300 volunteers and a small staff.
What We Do
Wildlife Rehabilitation
Liberty Wildlife assists the state of Arizona with rehabilitation of native species, specializing in avian, reptile, amphibian and small mammal species. We care for between 7000-8000 animals every year with a release rate over 50%, above the national norm.
Our goal is to release every animal that comes in to us. Those that cannot be rehabilitated to a quality of life are humanely euthanized. All others are released or if non releasable are placed in zoos, nature centers, or breeding facilities or used as educational ambassadors or foster parents for their species.
Liberty Wildlife specializes in caring for endangered and/or threatened species like California condors, bald and golden eagles and all raptor species. We also are the ‘go to’ facility for caring for other native wild birds especially during the busy orphan season. we generally assist over 130 different species in a year.
Volunteer options in this area include Hotline, Rescue/Transport, Daily Care, Orphan Care, Medical Services (must apply for training after volunteering in another area).
Environmental Education
Liberty Wildlife provides first class educational programs using trained handlers/teachers using well-conditioned educational raptors who have been deemed non-releasable. We recently provided over 827 programs a year at 488 different venues using over 50 different raptors, tortoises, and snakes. Attention is given to conservation and sustainability, state standards, age appropriateness, particular educational requests, and the enhancing of attitudes like compassion and engagement.
Our basic season for programming runs from mid-September through mid-May. A program request can be made on the web site under Education.
Educational volunteers must apply for training after volunteering in another area.
Research and Conservation
Research and conservation works with corporations, agencies, businesses that interface with wildlife to help avert negative impact. This area is manned by biologists and specific training for the different areas is provided on the job.
Non-Eagle Feather Repository
The Repository, one of two in the United States, provides feathers, carcasses, and parts to legally recognized Native Americans who use these items for cultural and religious practices. The obtaining of these protected items had been illegal since the late 1990s making it difficult for the Native American to fully experience their cultural belief and regalia.
History
Liberty Wildlife was incorporated in January, 1981 by Dr. Katherine Orr. As a veterinarian who specialized in wildlife, in particular wild birds, she was the most experienced person in the area dealing with wildlife. Seeing a need for a facility that specialized in the care of injured orphaned wild animals, she incorporated Liberty Wildlife as a not for profit organization with a mission for caring for wildlife species and wildlife education. The organization has grown and prospered over the past 31 years growing from a small organization taking in 85 animals the first year with a volunteer staff of 3. Each year the group took in more animals, began training animals to use in education, publishing a newsletter and appearing on television, radio, and in the papers. With each appearance the volunteer staff grew and became more and more professional to the current award winning organization of today.
Awards
Liberty’s successes have not gone unnoticed. In the past, Liberty has received the following:
- The Educational Award from Arizona Clean and Beautiful in 20
- The prestigious Arizona Forward’s President’s Award and the Crescordia Award
- Proclaimed Liberty Wildlife Day in Scottsdale
- Conservation Organization of the Year by Arizona Game and Fish Dept.
- Induction into the Game and Fish Wildlife Hall of Fame
- Arizona Chapter of the Wildlife Society 2016 Conservation Award
- Partners in Conservation Award presented by the Secretary of the Interior Kenneth Salazar
Liberty Wildlife consistently partners with Arizona Game and Fish particularly in their gold and bald eagle programs. Other partnerships include U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Verde Canyon Railroad, Audubon Arizona, Desert Rivers Audubon, Scottsdale Community College Center for Native and Urban Wildlife, Hyatt Regency at McCormick Ranch, Rancho De Los Caballeros, Salt River Project, Arizona Public Service, Freeport McMoRan, Iberdrola Renewables and The Hyatt Regency at Gainey Ranch.