Arizona Wildlife

Arizona is rich in biological diversity, ranking among the top five states in the nation for the number of native bird, reptile, and mammal species, and in the top ten for overall diversity of vertebrates.

Many species have been present for a long time, while others have appeared only in recent years. Some non-native species were established intentionally, as is the case with rainbow trout, while others have arrived as unwelcome or invasive species, such as quagga mussels, and yet others appeared as they expanded their range. A few species, like the Mexican gray wolf and California condor, were extirpated in Arizona but have been re-established through reintroduction programs.

More information on Arizona’s wildlife resources can be found on the Department’s website, azgfd.gov, and in the Department’s Statewide Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) 2012-2022. The SWAP provides a vision for managing Arizona’s wildlife and natural habitats. Its primary focus is identifying and managing the “wildlife and biotic communities of greatest conservation need.” It offers input into both the operational and implementation tiers of the Department’s planning process.