The West Virginia Wildlife Center is a zoological park operated by the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources near French Creek, West Virginia, in Upshur County. The center is home to both native and introduced species once found naturally in West Virginia but which were exterminated by hunting and deforestation by the early 1900s
The center ranges across 338 acres and is inhabited by 29 species of bird, reptile, and mammal. The inhabitants are provided with spacious enclosures in native environments which allow them to behave in more natural ways than one would see in most other zoos, according to division biologists. The center includes a 1.25-mile, wheelchair-accessible walkway along which visitors can observe native and non-native wildlife in an authentic woodland. More than 50,000 guests visit the center annually.
Wildlife Center Inhabitants
The following species are among the official inhabitants of the center, excluding other animals that have naturally taken up residence there.
- Groundhog (Marmota monax)
- Red fox (Vulpes vulpes)
- Gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus)
- Coyote (Canis latrans)
- Gray wolf (Canis lupus) (Extirpated)
- American black bear (Ursus americanus)
- Raccoon (Procyon lotor)
- Fisher (Martes pennanti) (Reintroduced)
- North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) (Reintroduced)
- Striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis)
- Bobcat (Lynx rufus)
- Cougar (Puma concolor) (Extirpated)
- Wild boar (Sus scrofa) (Introduced)
- Elk (Cervus canadensis) (Extirpated)
- White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
- American bison (Bison bison) (Extirpated)
- Canada goose (Branta canadensis)
- Turkey vulture (Cathartes aura)
- Black vulture (Coragyps atratus)
- Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
- Red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
- Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
- American kestrel (Falco sparverius)
- Common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) (Introduced)
- Wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)
- Eastern screech owl (Megascops asio)
- Great horned owl (Bubo virginianus)
- Barred owl (Strix varia)
- Western rat snake (Pantherophis obsoletus)
- Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)
- Timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
Hours & Admission Fees
The wildlife center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (the exit gate closes at 6 p.m.) April 1 through Oct. 31 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (the exit gate closes at 4 p.m.) Nov. 1 through March 31 and environment. Admission is charged April 1 through October 31. Admission for guests age 16 and older is $3 and ages 3 to 15 is $1.50. For more information, or to schedule a group visit or guided tours, call 304-924-6211.
Location
The West Virginia State Wildlife Center is located on WV-20 approximately 12 miles south of the US-33 expressway at Buckhannon, West Virginia, and 35 mies northeast of I-79 at Sutton, West Virginia.
External Links
