A wildlife center in the northeast Valley is offering holiday tours. Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center, near Pinnacle Peak and Pima Roads, provides close encounters with native wildlife. Spokeswoman Kim Carr says the tours are offered year-round but that people really like to bring the family out, during the holidays.

KIM CARR: "The tours are guided by a naturalist, and it takes about an hour long, and you see most of the natural wildlife up close and personal. You see black bears, mountain lions, Mexican gray wolves, bobcats, coyotes."

Carr says the animals come within a few feet of the daily guided tours.  The center is non-profit but she says donations are requested for the guided tours.

For more information, visit www.southwestwildlife.org.