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COVER STORY

Wild At Heart
Soaring with the raptors in Cave Creek

By Kathryn M. Morgan

For 20 years, Samantha (Sam) and Bob Fox have been caring for injured and displaced birds – since 1997, at their current home in Cave Creek. But the Fox home is not a typical Cave Creek residence – it is also the anchor and location of Wild At Heart, an all-volunteer organization dedicated to the conservation and preservation of Arizona’s native wildlife. This is accomplished through the rescue and rehabilitation of injured and orphaned birds of prey, relocation of displaced raptors, public education and habitat enhancement programs.

At any given time, the couple may be housing as many as 200 wild birds of prey in a maze of dozens of aviaries scattered across the property. From a triage center to newly-constructed “flight pens,” Wild At Heart has the ability to provide the care needed to injured or displaced native birds. From Harris and Cooper’s Hawks, to Pigmy, Barn, Burrowing and Great Horned Owls, all raptors all welcome. Some come in by way of private citizens who have found the bird injured. Some are brought in by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Others are displaced by the destruction of their habitat.

The main goal at Wild At Heart is to release or relocate the birds back into the wild. In the case of the Burrowing Owl, habits are occasionally destroyed when ground is broken on new construction sites. Wild at Heart will house the birds until new habitats are built and then installed in a new location. This award-winning prototype program, conceived by Wild At Heart in 1993, is recognized as one of the most successful conservation and habitat restoration programs, installing approximately 4,500 artificial owl burrows statewide and creating new habitat for over 1,500 burrowing owls.

The focus is always on a successful relocation or release. Time is taken to identify a new environment that is secure and viable. This is one reason that birds are not typically released during the summer months – Wild At Heart wants to make sure that there is ample food and water for the birds, which will help ensure survival.

For the birds that come to Wild At Heart injured or as hatchlings, Sam and Bob also make sure that the birds are prepared to survive in the wild. It is vital that birds are fully recovered and, in the case of hatchlings, taught how to take care of themselves. This was the motivation behind the construction of the flight pens. Once birds are old enough or physically healed, they can gain flight strength in the long stretches of the pens. Live food is also introduced to teach or re-teach the birds how to capture prey.

Another aspect of the facility is a highly successful foster-parent program. In 1990, Sam and Bob established the first foster parenting program in Arizona using a non-releasable Barn Owl. This program expanded to include other raptors. When an injured bird is not able to survive in the wild, they can become foster parents to hatchlings that have found their way to Wild At Heart. The adult birds provide the care and nurturing needed by the hatchlings until they are ready for release. Some of the birds have even hatched “adopted” eggs.

Of course, not all birds that are brought to the Fox’ facility will survive. In which case, hospice is provided to the birds. The overall atmosphere at Wild At Heart is one of a deep care and respect for all living things. Sam and Bob have a strong desire to share their knowledge with the community, and hopefully inspire the love, awe and respect of nature that has carried them through decades of caring for these amazing, beautiful birds.

“Wild At Heart wants to educate people about Arizona’s magnificent birds of prey,” says Sam. “There are many opportunities for the community to become involved with Wild at Heart, from helping with rescues and transportation to educational projects and assisting on-site.”

As an all-volunteer facility, community support is a key factor in continuing its programs.
“Volunteering and giving support to volunteer organizations within your community is critical to helping all of us continue to provide much needed services.”

If you find a bird of prey that has been hurt or needs to be relocated, call Wild At Heart at 480.595.5047. For more information on the facility or to volunteer, contact Sam via e-mail, foxowl@fastq.com, or visit wildatheartowls.org.

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COVER STORY Online Extra | CITYSunTimes October 2009