Phoenix's hidden wildlife sanctuary is worth a trip
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I've known Liberty Wildlife as the go-to place to take injured birds in the Valley, but never realized that their south Phoenix sanctuary is also an amazing low-cost attraction.
How it works: The organization takes in about 10,000 injured animals (mainly birds, but also reptiles and small mammals) per year, and returns most of them to the wild after veterinary treatment.
- But some are too injured or dependent on humans to live healthily on their own, and instead become ambassadors for their species at the organization's 6.5-acre campus.
Between the lines: At the campus, you'll see bald eagles, barn owls, vultures, hawks and even endangered California condors.
- Volunteers take out many of the birds for socialization, so expect some up-close encounters.
I took my bird-obsessed daughter for her birthday, and volunteers were eager to show her falcons, owls and other rescued critters, including a tortoise and raccoon.
- At a summer admission price of $5, we'll be back many times in the coming months.
The fine print: The campus is open Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
- May – July and September (closed August): 9-11am, $5 per person
- October-April: 10am-1pm, $10 per person
- Kids 4 and under are free.