News Summary
Liberty Wildlife in Phoenix reports a troubling rise in animal rescues this summer, largely due to extreme heat and human activities affecting local wildlife. With over 8,000 animals treated so far, the center encounters issues such as entanglement and collision injuries exacerbated by rising temperatures, leading to dehydration in vulnerable species. The organization emphasizes the importance of community involvement to mitigate these challenges and improve wildlife rehabilitation efforts as climate change impacts persist.
Phoenix – Liberty Wildlife, a wildlife rehabilitation center located in Phoenix, has reported a significant increase in the number of animals it has assisted this summer due to extreme heat and various human activities affecting local wildlife. As the intense heat persists, the center has provided care for thousands of native birds, reptiles, and mammals facing injuries primarily linked to human impact.
Each year, Liberty Wildlife cares for approximately 10,000 animals, with summer months seeing a notable surge in arrivals. This year, as of late July, the center has treated over 8,000 animals and is on track to exceed last year’s totals. On particularly challenging days, as many as 120 animals may be brought in for treatment, intensifying the workload for dedicated staff and volunteers.
According to the center, many of the injuries sustained by local wildlife result from human activities, including entanglement in fishing lines and soccer nets or collisions with vehicles. The ongoing rise in temperature has exacerbated these issues, leading to a wave of dehydrated wildlife, particularly vulnerable baby birds affected by hot winds.
Among the many residents at Liberty Wildlife are Benji the raccoon, who suffered from heat-related illness after being sold by a person experiencing homelessness, and Jose the Chuckwalla, who became too accustomed to human environments and is now housed at the facility. Another notable resident is Lizzie, a great horned owl, who has an educational role due to imprinting on humans as a baby.
Heat-related illnesses in wildlife are a common concern during Arizona summers, with the adverse effects further compounded by rising instances of bird flu, which has led to a nearly 20% decline in specific species such as the California condor population near the Grand Canyon.
To aid in wildlife rescue and care, Liberty Wildlife operates a hotline that allows the public to report sightings of suffering animals due to human-related issues. The organization actively encourages community involvement through volunteering and donations to support their ongoing mission of facilitating harmony between Arizonans and their native wildlife.
Efforts to combat the extreme heat and its impact on wildlife are ongoing, with the Arizona Game and Fish Department providing water supplies to wildlife across the state. These measures include the transportation of water via trucks and helicopters to create man-made watering holes for animals in need.
Executive Director Megan Mosby has noted that this summer has been one of the most challenging periods for the center, emphasizing the growing impact of climate change on wildlife rehabilitation efforts. Staff members at Liberty Wildlife have adapted their treatment methods in response to the rising temperatures, including administering cooling treatments such as spraying animals with water, providing hydration opportunities, and utilizing evaporative coolers in wildlife enclosures.
The extreme heat patterns emerging in Arizona not only present ongoing challenges for wildlife rescue initiatives but also underscore broader environmental concerns affecting biodiversity and wildlife health on a national scale. With rising temperatures becoming a persistent issue, the need for rehabilitation centers like Liberty Wildlife is more crucial than ever to ensure the survival and well-being of affected animals.
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Additional Resources
- ABC15 News
- Wikipedia: Wildlife Rehabilitation
- AZ Central
- Google Search: Arizona wildlife
- CNN
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Arizona
- Fox 10 Phoenix
- Google News: Wildlife rescue Arizona
- AZ Family
- Google Scholar: Wildlife rehabilitation Arizona
Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
PHOENIX STAFF WRITER The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
