The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is located in Tucson, Arizona. It is a world-renowned zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden. Filled with more than 300 species of animals and 1,200 types of plant life, the exhibits recreate the natural landscape of the Sonora Desert region. Founded in 1952 by William Carr and Arthur Pack, the museum is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to conservation efforts.
Visitors can walk nearly 2 miles of paths along 21 of the museum's 100-acres to experience the desert's aesthetic appeal. The museum's mission is to inspire people to co-exist harmoniously with the world of nature, by developing an understanding of it. With its natural setting credited as its greatest asset, special attention is paid to ensure that exhibits are presented in the most natural way possible, without compromising the integrity of the plants, animals, minerals and fossils on display.
While the majority of exhibits feature elements indicative to the Sonora Desert and surrounding area, the museum partners with other agencies, as well as the state and federal government, to act as a refuge for endangered, threatened and rare species, many of which are part of recovery programs. Three endangered native fishes, one state endangered snake, the Mexican gray wolf, the thick-billed parrot and a plethora of endangered plants call the museum grounds home. Previous participation in captive breeding programs has resulted in the successful release of golden eagles, Harris' hawks and other animals into the wild.
Visitors can view natural behaviors of birds of prey in the Sonora Desert. During demonstrations, birds are allowed to fly freely in the open desert. Guests can see the natural behaviors of Chihuahuan ravens, great horned owls, barn owls, gray and ferruginous hawks, prairie falcons and great roadrunners. A different species of bird is highlighted every day. Shows are in the mornings and afternoons.
Devoted to regional cacti and succulents, the Cactus Garden is grouped by growth forms and specific genera, and is open for visitors to tour. Organ pipe, agaves, columnar and other cacti are some of the plants featured. Another attraction, Cat Canyon, offers guests the chance to take an overhead or eye-to-eye view of desert cats; two Bobcats, an Ocelot, a Jaguarondi and a Margay. The Mountain Woodland exhibit has re-created a Mexican Pine-Oak Woodland habitat and features animals that can be found in the nearby mountain range, including Mexican wolves, white-tailed deer, mountain lions and thick-billed parrots.
The Earth Sciences Center includes an artificial cave that visitors can walk through and witness the beauty of rock formations, stalactites and stalagmites, and animals that call the structure home. Billed as one of the best regional mineral exhibits in the United States, the Mineral Collection Tour offers guests the chance to see rubies, emeralds, amethysts and other gemstones. The educational exhibits of the Earth Sciences Center have made it a popular destination among children and families.
For members of the museum, a reference library of more than 6,000 books, 83 periodical subscriptions and a rich collection of audio-visual materials about desert ecology are available for perusing. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum showcases a variety of exhibits, making it a popular site among Tucson visitors. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and a member of the American Association of Museums, the center provides educational programming for children and adults, as well as supports scientific research of the desert and enhancing stewardship efforts.
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