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Wildlife / Conservancy

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West Virginia is an exceptional destination for wildlife interaction and viewing, offering visitors and residents the chance to connect with nature in a state that proudly values its rich biodiversity and strong cultural affinity for wildlife conservation. From spotting white-tailed deer, black bears, and wild turkeys in lush forests to watching migrating birds and rare species in protected areas like Canaan Valley and Dolly Sods, West Virginia provides countless opportunities for unforgettable wildlife experiences. Scenic trails, state parks, and wildlife refuges allow nature lovers and photographers to observe animals in their natural habitats while supporting local conservation efforts. For new residents drawn by the remote-work revolution and a love for the outdoors, West Virginia’s abundant wildlife and community respect for nature make it the perfect place to live, explore, and appreciate the Mountain State’s wild beauty year-round.

A river otter pauses along a grassy riverbank log before slipping back into the water. A new collaborative study by WVU and WVDNR used high-tech GPS trackers to reveal that West Virginia otters can log up to 30 miles in a single night.
Wildlife / Conservancy

GPS trackers in new study reveal W.Va. otters traveling up to 30 miles a night

by David Sibray

NEWBERRY, W.Va. — A collaborative study led by state wildlife officials, federal scientists, and West Virginia University researchers in Morgantown is shedding light on the secret lives of West Virginia’s river otters and directly shaping state management policy for years to come. The research, conducted in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey and W.Va. Division … Read more

Two unbanded peregrine falcons have been confirmed at the New River Gorge Bridge, continuing a conservation story that began decades ago. The inset shows one of the peregrines recently observed at the bridge. (Inset photo by Larry Massey)
Wildlife / Conservancy

Two unbanded peregrine falcons confirmed at New River Gorge Bridge

by David Sibray

LANSING, W.Va. — Two unbanded peregrine falcons have been confirmed at the New River Gorge Bridge, an encouraging development nearly two decades after conservationists began an ambitious effort to restore the species to the central Appalachians. Bridge Walk guides, who lead tours along the catwalk beneath the landmark span, observed the two birds together Monday … Read more

A bull elk stands in the southern West Virginia coalfields, where the state's restored elk population is beginning to roam farther from its established range. (Photo: W.Va. Dept. of Commerce)
Wildlife / Conservancy

West Virginia elk are roaming farther as restored herd grows

by Will Reedy

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s restored elk are beginning to roam farther from the southern coalfields where they were reintroduced, even as the state prepares to welcome visitors for another season of guided elk-viewing tours. The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources announced Sunday that tickets are available for its 2026 Elk Management Tours, which begin Sept. … Read more

Hikers document an apparently ill white-tailed deer they encounter along a wooded West Virginia trail, illustrating the kind of observation that can now be reported through the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources' new online Wildlife Disease and Mortality Reporting Tool.
Wildlife / Conservancy

West Virginia launches online tool for reporting sick and dead wildlife

by Will Reedy

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia wildlife officials have launched a new online reporting system that allows residents and visitors to quickly report sick, injured or dead wild animals, giving state biologists another tool to detect disease outbreaks before they become widespread. The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources announced Wednesday that it has begun using a … Read more

The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma deliculata) is an invasive species native to Asia. It showed up in Pennsylvania in 2014. Above, a spotted lanternfly visits a log in Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area in Lancaster County, Pa., on Oct. 5, 2018. (Photo by Caitlyn Johnstone/Chesapeake Bay Program)
Wildlife / Conservancy

Spotted lanternfly spreads across West Virginia, threatening vineyards, forests and farms

by Clyde Craig

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A fast-moving invasive insect that has spread across much of the eastern United States is continuing its march through West Virginia, where experts warn it threatens vineyards, orchards, hardwood forests, and other economically important crops. The spotted lanternfly, an invasive species native to Asia, was first discovered in Berkeley County, West Virginia, … Read more

A bobcat watches visitors from its woodland habitat at the West Virginia Wildlife Center near French Creek. The facility, home to native wildlife species from across the Mountain State, will host its 10th annual Rendezvous Celebration on July 31 and Aug. 1, combining living-history demonstrations with opportunities to experience West Virginia's natural heritage.
Wildlife / Conservancy

W.Va. Wildlife Center rendezvous celebration returns with history, native wildlife

by Clyde Craig

FRENCH CREEK, W.Va. — Frontier blacksmiths will hammer glowing iron. Scouts will demonstrate wilderness survival. Cooks will prepare meals over open fires while historical reenactors recreate life as it unfolded in the Appalachian backcountry. Yet perhaps the most authentic part of the experience won’t be the encampment itself. Just beyond the demonstrations, visitors can walk … Read more