What feels like a ma-and-pa run wildlife sanctuary is actually a well staffed, well equipped, highly reputable rescue organization. I’m so glad I booked a tour at the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center! Although (for the animals’ welfare) the only animals they keep on display are those not eligible for release into the wild, there are plenty to see! Birds, bears, cougars, wolves, bobcats, foxes, and (my favorite) the region-specific javelinas. The tour was very informative and our guide was friendly and knowledgeable. What a great organization and fantastic place. A highlight of my trip to Scottsdale!

The loving staff and volunteers maintain the sanctuary for these beautiful animals. It was a great experience, allowing us to get close up views and pictures. Our guide was patient and interacted nicely with the inhabitants. This was a great experience that I recommend to all.

We had a great time visiting the wildlife conservation center and learning about all of the fantastic things that they do. This was definitely an educational experience, and we were very impressed. Our tour guide was extremely informative. This is not a zoo, and their main goal is to reintroduce the animals back into the wild whenever possible. This was a great experience for our family, including our young adult children. This is not something I would recommend for little kids as it seems they could lose interest and/or become somewhat bored during the tour. But I certainly recommend it for everyone else!

Great facilty. Learned alot about the animals we share the desert with. Our guide was very knowledgeable ＆ answered all our questions. Definitely a place to visit. BRING DONATIONS WITH YOU. Call to get a list of needed materials. We brought old towels. Dawn liquid soap, pumpkins & paper towels.

My guide’s name was Geneva, and she was lovely. She answered any and all animal questions we had and gave us so many wildlife tips and facts that i hadnt heard before. The facility is well kept and everyone is smiling. My boyfriend and I had a great time! The tour was two hours walking around greeting and learning about the animals but the time flew by. I could’ve spent the whole day there. It is worth your trip!

Our guide to the SW Wildlife Conservation Center was amazing. She has been volunteering there for 14 years and is very knowledgeable about the animals and why they were brought here. We saw such a varied collection of wildlife during our 2-hour tour. The center is on 10 acres in Scottsdale and hold about 300 various animals: including coyotes, bobcats, wolves, fox, deer, mountain lions, bears, and many others. The best part was that almost 85% of the animals get released back to the wild when they are able to. We were so glad that to see that there are people who treat these animals with the respect that they deserve. We urge all animal lovers to visit this wonderful center!

I have been coming to Scottsdale for several years now and came across the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center in a promotional magazine. I decided to take one of their twilight tours to learn more about their mission to rescue, rehabilitate and release back into the wild the animal species that are native to both Arizona and the Southwest. I have visited many wildlife facilities across the country but never have I been able to get as close to the animals as I was able to at SWCC. Obviously there are protective barriers but the animals are only a few feet away and it allows visitors to truly appreciate their uniqueness. Our guides were so knowledgeable about all of their animals and also offered humerous stories about some of the animal interactions. The tour lasted 2 hours with ample time to observe each of the animals in their habitat s and ask questions. We saw mountain lions, javalinas, bears, coyotes, fox, deer, tortoises, owls, and a hawk. But the highlight of the tour were the Mexican Wolves. We were fortunate to have heard them howl which is quite soul stirring. I am very impressed with SWCC and will be back for another tour next year. They offer special tours for kids and it's a wonderful educational experience.

Besides the wonderful work this rescue reserve does that is worth a donation or price of ticket, it is very informative as a guide leads you on a two hour tour of the animals they've rescued. You see these animals in closer range than I've ever seen in a zoo or elsewhere. Hopefully never in the wild! Highly recommend it!

Outstanding tour by Cathie. Extremely educational. She does an amazing job telling about every animal there and the situations which brought each one there. Its heartbreaking and so thankful there are volunteers and an organization like this. I wish i lived here id volunteer everyday!

This sanctuary is an absolute MUST for animal lovers! Our tour guide Lori gave us an incredible tour filled with interesting facts, the back story of the individual animals, and funny jokes! Fun for the whole family! We will definitely be back. :)