There are over 400 species of insects, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and mammals at this museum. There are dioramas depicting wild animals in their natural settings, videos, interactive computers, and hands-on exhibits to promote wildlife appreciation and conservation. You will have the opportunity to see animals up close and gain a better understanding of their adaptive characteristics, habitats, and conservation issues.
This museum was founded in 1988 and highlights over 400 species of insects, mammals, and birds from around the globe. There are some collections that are over 100 years old and all the animals at the museum were donate by people that wanted to share their knowledge with others. The Museum is an educational program of the Safari Club International Foundation.
Living Fossils
The museum talks about Living Fossils and shows you what they are comprised of such as coelacanths, birds, and cockroaches. There is the Absaroka Elk Ecology Project which is a multi-community, multi-landscape project working to provide long-term benefits to wildlife and the communities that co-exist with them in northwestern Wyoming. You can learn about some of the research being done with elk and wolves that are living in this 3.3 million-acre area. This display is one of the temporary exhibits.
Take a look at the animals on the grounds of the museum. Take pictures of them and enjoy the close-up experience. You will see insects, birds, mammals, reptiles, or amphibians on the grounds.
You can either take a self-guided tour or a guided tour with a knowledgeable docent or museum educator. A typical visit lasts 2 hours.
Wildlife Theater
The Wildlife Theater shows the following movies daily: 10 am – Jungle which is the story of the rainforest, 35 minutes; 11 am Cara the Sea Turtle, 30 minutes; 12 pm – Habitat Earth: H20, 30 minutes; 1 pm – Tarantulas & their Venomous Relations, 52 minutes; 2 pm – Spirit of the Eagle, 30 minutes; 3 pm – The Secret World of Bats, 48 minutes; 4 pm – Plant and Animal Partners, 30 minutes. Movies change quarterly with the seasons.
Hours: Monday thru Friday 9 – 5, Saturday and Sunday 9 – 6. The museum is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The Oasis Grille where you can get something to eat is open weekdays from 10 – 3.
Admission: Adults $7; Seniors (62 and over) $5.50; Students/Military (with ID) $5.50; Children (4-12) $2.50 and Children 3 and under are free. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more with advance reservations.
International Wildlife Museum
4800 W Gates Pass Blvd
Tucson, AZ
(520) 629-0100