Arizona-based raptor rescue focuses on all species of birds of prey

Wild at Heart

Arizona-based raptor rescue focuses on all species of birds of prey.

By Lauren Bukoskey

Getting a call in the middle of the night about an injured hawk that needs immediate attention could be considered a little bizarre. But for Sam and Bob Fox, who run Wild at Heart, an Arizona-based raptor rescue, it comes with the territory. Their organization is ready to rescue and rehabilitate all species of birds of prey, including hawks, falcons, and eagles.

The duo, along with volunteers, works around the clock to assist these birds and help facilitate the relocation of displaced burrowing owls. Wild at Heart volunteers also give educational presentations and help with species recovery and habitat enhancement projects.

The Foxes never planned on helping birds of prey. They moved from Washington to Arizona in 1971 with absolutely no experience in rescuing animals or anything of the sort. But they soon became concerned about how human encroachment was affecting the environment and wildlife. Sam volunteered at the AZ Game and Fish Wildlife Center in the early 1990s and noticed how wildlife rescue needed to be better recognized.

Wild at Heart differs from other wildlife rescues because it focuses on a certain type of animal. According to Bob, it is crucial to have a high level of knowledge and more extensive familiarity with a specific species. “Knowing about handling procedures, housing, medical care, and food varies for each group of animals,” he says.

With their mission set, the Foxes created the Burrowing Owl Project, which is one of the most successful conservation and habitat restoration programs in the United States. Wild at Heart has installed thousands of artificial burrows across Arizona, and more habitats continue to be built, offering burrowing owls protection and a chance for their numbers to recover.

For birds of prey that have no home and no parents, Bob and Sam created the first raptor foster-parenting operation in the state. The Foster Parent Program cares for between150 and 200 nestling and hatchling raptors each year.

Through the Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy Owl Captive Breeding Project, this particular owl population is being bred into captivity in order to be introduced to the wild. These owls have been in heavy decline; Wild at Heart volunteers are caring for 31 of them. The barn owl, another endangered species, is the focus of Wild at Heart’s Barn Owl Recovery Program, which accelerates barn owl breeding and recovery programs in the Eastern United States.

Wild at Heart also offers team building and community service opportunities to businesses, schools, and other non-profit organizations. People can experience close-up encounters with raptors during many of these events. Eagle Scouts can also earn Scout badges by helping Wild at Heart build new aviaries or birdcages or renovate older ones. Wild at Heart currently has 51 aviaries but more are expected to be constructed in the future.

The Fox’s hard work and dedication has not gone unnoticed. Wild at Heart won the Special Achievement Award from the International Festival of the Owls for their work fostering owls and their breeding program to reintroduce the endangered Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy Owl to the area, along with their efforts in relocating burrowing owls.

From the Valley’s oldest and largest competition for contributions to the environment, the Burrowing Owl Project received an Award of Merit in Environmental Stewardship. Wild at Heart has received more awards, such as the John Muir Association Conservation Award, the North American Bird Conservation Initiative, and the Association of Joint Venture Management Board Bird Conservation Award.

All their efforts wouldn’t be possible without donations and volunteers. “Caring people of all ages want to find help when they see animals in distress and they want help as soon as possible,” says Sam. Wild at Heart fills that need for birds of prey. For more information, visit wildatheartraptors.org.

Wild at Heart is a non-profit organization that does the following:

• Rescues, rehabilitates, and releases birds of prey that have been injured or orphaned.
• Relocates displaced burrowing owls.
• Manages species recovery programs.
• Manages habitat enhancement projects.
• Provides educational presentations.