| Animal
Attacks Animal attacks in West Virginia are rare, but no wild animal should be
approached regardless of its size or apparent docility. Following are safety tips to
employ during any contact with our most aggressive large animals -- black bear, wild boar,
and the illusive mountain lion.
Bear Safety
West Virginia's black bears are gentle, unassuming creatures who are
likely to avoid human contact altogether, but their powerful, razor-sharp claws can
inflict a fatal blow in an instant. If you plan to visit any of West Virginia's deep
forests, please keep the following safety tips in mind.
- Respect all bears: they can be dangerous.
- Never approach or attempt to feed a bear.
- Be defensive: never surprise a bear.
- The most dangerous bears are habituated to human food, are females
defending cubs, or are defending a fresh kill.
- If you see a bear, remain calm. The bear is likely just passing
through and, if it doesn't find food, will simply move on.
- Bears are strong. They can tear cars apart looking for food.
- All female bears defend their cubs fiercely.
- Bears will usually hide from people. But remember, just because you
don't see a bear, doesn't mean they aren't around.
- Look for signs of recent bear activity. These include droppings,
tracks, evidence of digging, and claw or bite marks on trees.
- Make your presence known by talking loudly, clapping, singing, or
occasionally calling out. It doesn't pay to surprise a bear.
- Photographing bears can be dangerous. Use a long range telephoto
lens.
Boar Safety
Wild boar, or wild pig, are found in only a few isolated areas of
southern West Virginia, particularly in the mountains southwest of Beckley.
- If you encounter boar, which typically forage in groups, leave the
area immediately. Seek the safety of a car or house if you can't depart the vicinity of a
boar.
- Boar can move quickly and may inflict fatal wounds with their hooves
and tusk-like front teeth.
- Boar in West Virginia are found largely in the counties of Raleigh,
Boone, and Wyoming in southern West Virginia where they are extensively hunted. The
largest groups of boar are found in the rugged terrain southwest of Glen Daniel on W.Va. 3
and northeast of Oceana on W.Va. 83.
Panther Safety
Your not likely to encounter a panther, or mountain lion, outside of
the high mountains of the eastern state. These large cats are extremely rare; in fact,
naturalists debate the presence of a reproducing population in West Virginia altogether.
If you find yourself visiting a remote region and suspect a lion might be in the
area, avoid walking beneath rock overhangs -- a favorite perch of these illusive
creatures. However, lion attacks have not been reported in West Virginia for more than a
century, and these animals are far more likely to run than hold their ground. |
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Southern West Virginia's premiere medical center, Raleigh General Hospital
provides the most-extensive medical care possible at the junction of southern West
Virginia's interstates in Beckley.
Visit
Raleigh General Hospital's Site
Should
you require medical attention on your visit to southern West Virginia, Raleigh General may
quickly be reached by expressway from anywhere in the area. From Lewisburg, follow
Interstate 64 west to exit 44 at Beckley. From Princeton, follow Interstate 77 north to
exit 44 at Beckley. From Fayetteville, follow U.S. 19 south to Interstate 77, then travel
south one mile to exit 44. [ Map to Raleigh General ] |
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