TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — After announcing the International Wildlife Museum's closure, KGUN 9's social media post and email was flooded with comments and questions.
Viewers shared their experiences, as well as wondered what would happen with active memberships and gifted tickets on Christmas/during the holidays.
KGUN 9 reached out to the museum, who released the following statement:
On December 31, 2023, the International Wildlife Museum in Tucson, AZ closed. All scheduled events after this date have been canceled.
The International Wildlife Museum was owned and operated by Safari Club International Foundation (SCIF). SCIF is moving business operations to Texas.
All staff involved in the operations of the museum have been given opportunities to continue their great work with SCIF on behalf of wildlife conservation.
Efforts are underway to return the taxidermy and other exhibit materials on loan from other organizations. We will also be securing new locations for the remaining museum's taxidermy, animals, and exhibits, which will continue to educate the public about the importance and appreciation of the world's diverse wildlife and the role of wildlife management in conservation.
Current museum members will be contacted regarding pro-rated membership refunds. If you paid for your membership in person and would like to receive a pro-rated membership refund, or if there are any questions regarding memberships or taxidermy loans, please contact 210-985-4868.
We extend our sincere appreciation to the public and the museum’s members, volunteers, workers, and donors who have generously supported the museum over the years, and for your ongoing commitment to the Safari Club International Foundation.
International Wildlife Museum staff is currently issuing prorated refunds of active memberships. They do not have gift cards.
If anyone has proof of purchase for gifted tickets, please contact Museum Manager Amy Soneira at amys@thewildlifemuseum.org to get refunded.
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The International Wildlife Museum is closing its doors after 35 years on the Westside of Tucson.
As a non-profit natural history museum, some of the inventory was loaned. These items are getting returned to their owners.
In partnership with the Safari Club International Foundation (SCIF), the International Wildlife Museum has released this statement on its website:
Safari Club International Foundation wishes to inform you that the International Wildlife Museum in Tucson, AZ, closed its doors on December 31, 2023.
All scheduled events after this date are canceled.
Efforts are being made to return the taxidermy on loan from other organizations.
The remaining museum’s taxidermy, animals, and exhibits will be relocated to new locations to continue educating the public on wildlife appreciation and the role of wildlife management in conservation.
The Safari Club International Foundation expresses gratitude to the public, museum’s members, volunteers, workers, and donors who have generously supported the museum over the years, and for your ongoing commitment to the Safari Club International Foundation.
According to the SCIF's website, it lists the closure as "temporary."
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Caleb Fernández is a digital content producer for KGUN 9. After earning his bachelor's degree from Penn State in Advertising/Public Relations, Caleb went to New York where he learned production assistance, photography and art direction. Share your story ideas and important issues with Caleb by emailing caleb.fernandez@kgun9.com or by connecting on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter.
