By Lorelei Varese, Best Friends Network VolunteerI had a great telephone conversation with Megan Mosby the other day. Megan is the Executive Director and on the Board of Directors for Liberty Wildlife in Scottsdale, AZ. For those who don’t know, Liberty Wildlife is a rescue organization for wildlife in Arizona. At their website
libertywildlife.org one can find out about what is going on over there in Scottsdale.
I wanted to know how this whole thing got started, so I asked Megan and this is the story:
Once upon a time, about 20-30 years ago, a young doctor, Kathy Orr, moved to Arizona as an avian veterinarian. She was working with the Humane Society but because she was an avian vet, people kept bringing her baby birds that had fallen out of nests and wounded birds of prey, etc. A room off of Her garage was gradually filled with wild birds that were brought to her for attention. As the project grew, Dr Orr brought in volunteers and in 1981 incorporated an official organization with $435 in the bank and a handful of volunteers.
One day while they were working in the small bird room/hospital off the garage, a man came in with something wrapped in a jacket and begged them to help. He unrolled his bundle and inside he had a Great Horned Owl that had been shot. He watched them unsuccessfully try to assist the dying bird and finally with tears streaming down his face he said quietly, “If I’d known how beautiful it was, I never would have shot it.” It was at that moment that Liberty Wildlife began to push their educational programs. They want everyone to know how wondrous and beautiful these birds are.
Today, from a handful of volunteers in a garage, Liberty Wildlife has grown to over 300 volunteers with between 3000-4000 native animals in their care. They are running 400 educational with 35 education ambassadors.
They are currently located at 11825 N 70th St in Scottsdale, a residential area that’s a little tricky to find but they have big plans to relocate to Papago Park next to the Phoenix Zoo. You can read more about those plans, sign up for their newsletter and find other ways to become involved or informed at their website. Again:
http://www.libertywildlife.orgPhotos used by permission from Liberty Wildlife