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On the opposite side of Lake Roosevelt, coming from the west, a herd of big-antlered mule deer emerged from the hills with their brown coats and white rumps glistening in the harsh sunlight. Thirsty, they were looking for a place to rest and get some water when they encountered State Route 188, separating them from the reservoir.
Years ago, accustomed to traveling on any terrain, they would have tried to cross the road to get to the water and quench their thirst. In doing so, a passing vehicle could have struck them. Now they no longer need to take that dangerous gamble but can return to the hills and drink from a water catchment maintained by the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
“We stopped a number of accidents from happening because now the animals don’t have to travel across the dangerous situation just to get a drink of water,” said Joseph Currie, habitat planning program manager with AZGFD.
While preventing accidents is a significant benefit, the program’s primary goal is to sustain Arizona’s wildlife populations by ensuring they have consistent access to water, especially in remote and arid areas.
“From bees and bats to elk and bald eagles, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, chipmunks, snakes — everything comes to drink from these waters,” said Currie.
He emphasized that animals struggling to find water face significant challenges in surviving and reproducing. For instance, “a lactating mother needs extra water to produce the milk,” Currie said.
The need for water is especially great during Arizona’s searing summers, when average daytime temperatures soar above 100 degrees, posing life-threatening risks not only to people but also to the state’s diverse fauna population.
Despite their natural resilience, many animals find it increasingly difficult to cope with these extreme conditions, as statewide annual temperatures have steadily risen over decades.
From thirsty wildlife in the remote desert to pets in suburban backyards, animals across Arizona are struggling to adapt to the intensifying global warming.
But there is hope for these creatures in the form of organizations leading the charge to protect animals from the dangers of extreme heat, efforts that depend on the community’s support and involvement.
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Agency delivers water for wild animals in remote areas
Arizona has been in a long-term drought for more than two decades, and human activity has compounded the problem, encroaching on wildlife habitat. As cities expand and infrastructure spreads, the places where animals once found water are being paved over or diverted to meet human demands, leaving animals with fewer options.
Urban growth, road construction and extensive water extraction from wells have drastically limited the water sources available to wildlife, jeopardizing their survival, said Currie, as he drove to check a water catchment about 10 miles south of Superior.
The program started around the 1940s. Game and Fish now oversees and maintains 3,000 water catchments across the state.
“Initially, the records weren’t kept very well,” he said, adding that some of the older catchments still need to be located.
Many of the early catchments, built in the 1940s and 1950s, were small and made of solid concrete, Currie said, which wasn’t very efficient due to the quick evaporation of water in hot, dry conditions.
“They were supposed to be able to fill themselves with the precipitation we get. But when we get these dry drought years, sometimes it’s not enough,” said Currie.
To address this, wildlife managers truck in water at least once a month, bringing 1,700 gallons per trip to ensure the catchments don’t run dry.
Some of the water catchments are so remote that there are no roads leading to them.
“So we have to use a helicopter to dump the water into the catchment,” Currie said.
While still operational, the older water systems require the most upkeep and refilling. Rebuilding them will take time and funding, but the program has made significant strides over the last decade.
Newer catchments are engineered with greater efficiency, making better use of Arizona’s sporadic rainy season. The modern systems include sloped aprons that funnel rainwater into underground storage tanks, where up to 2,500 gallons can be kept relatively cool and clean.
The water is distributed via underground pipes to smaller drinking ponds, equipped with escape ramps to prevent small animals, like mice and lizards, from drowning.
AZGFD has recently started installing water level monitors that allow remote tracking of how much water is in the tanks.
“We only have maybe 60 of them out on the 3,000,” Currie said. “So we’re just getting into this technology.”
AZGFD is not funded by general state taxes. Instead, it relies in part on volunteers and donations to keep up with the program.
The desert can be a tough place for animals to find water, said Currie while exploring the pond’s surroundings for signs of wildlife.
Hairballs and scat around the pond indicated that a mountain lion had recently visited. But as long as Currie was present, it was unlikely any large animals would approach. They were probably watching from a distance, waiting for him to leave before coming in to drink.
In the meantime, smaller creatures, like a dragonfly, hovered over the pond while yellow wasps and bees took their turn to drink and collect water to take back to their hives.
Currie looked at them and said that bees rely on these catchments to collect the water they need to produce honey.
He said turkey vultures are the most frequent visitors to these catchments. The ability of flying animals to soar over large distances makes it easier to spot water sources across the landscape.
As many birds benefit from these water sources, others face different challenges during Arizona’s unforgiving summers.
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Liberty Wildlife rehabilitates birds so they can fly again
For tiny, flightless chicks, staying in a warm nest when temperatures rise above 105 degrees can be unbearable.
Desperate to escape the intense heat, many, not yet ready to fly, leave their nests too early, only to end up helpless on the ground.
“Birds have a higher body temperature than humans,” said Jan Miller, the animal care coordinator from Liberty Wildlife, as she approached the Harris’ hawk cage.
The bird screeched as if calling to her. Miller bent down, grabbed a hose, and sprayed a cool mist over the large cage, providing much-needed relief to the bird, which quickly quieted.
“Adult birds are very good at controlling their temperature. They can sit up in a high tree where there’s a breeze or fly to water,” Miller said. “But the babies can’t. They’ll get out of the nest to try to cool off.”
High temperatures are one of the biggest dangers for young birds, Miller said. Last year, during the hottest months, Liberty Wildlife received between 120 and 150 injured animals daily. This year, their busiest day saw nearly 200 arrivals, many of them Cooper’s hawks.
While the center typically houses only one or two birds in each large cage, the Cooper’s hawk area is different. About five cages hold at least five hawks each, grouped by age. As natural predators of smaller birds, the older hawks must be kept separate from the younger ones to prevent aggression.
Liberty Wildlife’s mission is to rehabilitate sick or injured birds and release them back into the wild as soon as possible. Like many wildlife organizations, they operate without federal or state funding, relying solely on public donations and the efforts of volunteers.
If someone finds a bird on the ground, Liberty Wildlife advises first observing at a distance for visible injuries, such as bleeding. In such cases, calling their emergency hotline at 480-998-5550 is recommended.
Dehydration and heatstroke are common issues for birds during Arizona’s scorching summers. Symptoms are similar to those seen in other animals — or even humans — such as lethargy, disorientation, and rapid breathing.
“First, you should get en route to come here,” said Miller. “Then, you can use ice packs up by the legs. You’d need to cool the body down their core.”
It is important not to pour water directly into a bird’s beak. Miller said their trachea is in the middle of their tongue, so it’s really easy to aspirate it. Instead, cooling the bird externally is the safest method.
People can help birds cope with the heat by placing water sources in gardens or patios. Miller emphasized the importance of changing the water at least once a day to keep it clean and fresh. Adding ice to the water can also help keep it cool.
“One of the issues that you have with the bird feeders,” Miller said, “is we do see a rise in a disease called trichomoniasis, which comes from drinking out of a contaminated water bowl.” It’s crucial to clean and change the water regularly.
Beyond the dangers posed by heat and dehydration, birds face other threats in the wild, including toxic pesticides and lead from ammunition.
“It’s not an intentional thing,” said Miller. “They ingest it and end up very sick from it.”
These affect not only birds but also other wildlife.
As Miller finished her rounds, she walked over to a small cage holding a rabbit. The bunny had been brought in by a concerned citizen, but since Liberty Wildlife specializes in birds, the rabbit was being transferred to the Arizona Humane Society for further care.
Humane Society rescues pets and finds them new homes
Pet shelters across the metro area are facing a crisis, with all facilities operating at over capacity. The region is grappling with an overpopulation of pets, compounded by a nationwide shortage of veterinarians.
The Arizona Humane Society receives and cares for unhoused, injured animals, owner surrenders and pets confiscated by law enforcement in abuse cases. The organization works to rehabilitate the animals and, ultimately, find them new homes.
The newly opened Papago Park campus provides space for these animals in separate areas. Cats and bunnies occupy the upper floor, while dogs and other pets are housed on the ground level.
The building’s interior is designed to foster a sense of openness, with large windows replacing traditional walls in many rooms. The layout provides transparency and connection between spaces while maintaining a comfortable and secure environment for the animals.
On the upper floor, kittens are grouped by litter in small, secure enclosures that provide comfort and privacy. Adjacent to them, older cats rest in individual spaces. Across the hall, another room is home to several bunnies.
Downstairs, the kennels are divided into family groups. Some hold individual dogs, while others contain mothers with their puppies or sibling pairs kept together for companionship.
During the summer months, many pets arriving at the Arizona Humane Society are victims of the extreme weather. Cases include pets rescued from disasters like fires and floods, as well as dogs left chained outside or locked in cars on a hot day. High temperatures pose life-threatening risks to animals.
“A lot of times, people assume that pets are more tolerant or more prepared to handle the heat than we are, but that’s not the case,” said Joe Casados, a spokesperson for the Arizona Humane Society.
Casados explained that cars can overheat quickly, rising from 100 to 120 degrees within 10 minutes. If you see a dog left in a hot car, call the police immediately, and in situations where the pet’s life is clearly in danger, it may be necessary to break a window to rescue them.
“It really is dangerous to be outside for extended periods of time. So the best thing you can do is please keep your pets inside your home,” he said.
Casados also emphasized that when pets need to go outside, it’s best to take them out in the early morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler. Owners should always bring plenty of water to keep their pets hydrated. Dog booties can help protect their paws when the pavement is hot.
“Not all dogs like wearing them, so you want to introduce them slowly and make sure they fit properly,” he said. “They might walk a little funny at first, so give them some time to get used to them. That’ll help protect their paws.”
Despite ongoing awareness campaigns, Casados noted that burn paws on dogs are still a common sight at the shelter.
When temperatures exceed 90 degrees, it’s best to avoid running or hiking with dogs. Long-haired pets, in particular, are prone to overheating, but short-haired breeds are equally at risk for heat exhaustion and even more vulnerable to sunburn.
The signs of heat stroke in pets include excessive panting or drooling, inflamed gums, glassy eyes, collapse, vomiting and seizures. Casados urged pet owners to act quickly if they notice these symptoms. The first step is to move the pet into a cool area and contact a veterinarian immediately. Applying a cool washcloth to the pet’s neck or stomach can help, but dumping ice water on them can send their bodies into shock.
Casados emphasized that the Arizona Humane Society is not a public emergency clinic, so pet owners should always contact their veterinarian for urgent medical care. But if someone comes across an injured or heat-stricken animal and can’t assist, the Arizona Humane Society’s emergency number, 602-997-7585, ext. 2073, is available daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Due to the current overpopulation crisis, the best course of action when finding an unhoused pet is first to try to locate its owner. If that’s not possible, notify the city’s animal control or local authorities. In cases where the pet is injured, and you cannot provide assistance, the Humane Society can step in.
The Arizona Humane Society relies heavily on community involvement to continue its lifesaving work. People can support the organization by volunteering, donating, fostering, or adopting pets in need. These efforts help the shelter manage overcapacity while ensuring vulnerable animals receive the care they deserve.
Trilce Estrada Olvera writes about environmental issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Send comments and story tips to trilce.estradaolvera@arizonarepublic.com.
Environmental coverage on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.
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