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.
Due to an increase in nuisance bear activity being reported in West Virginia, biologists with the state Division of Natural Resources is asking residents to remove food and other attractants from around their homes to help reduce future incidents. The DNR has received more than 1,600 bear complaints in 2020, and bears have been spotted … Read more
In an effort to understand declining firefly populations, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is inviting the public to participate in a citizen science project to track lightning bug sightings in the Mountain State. West Virginia boasts as many as 40 species of fireflies, or lightning bugs, which biologists say may have declined in … Read more
The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources announces that the West Virginia Wildlife Center at French Creek has resumed regular admission rates and hours of operation. The Wildlife Center features native and introduced animals and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., though some COVID-19 restrictions remain in place, according to Zack Brown, assistant … Read more
Biologists with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources have teamed up with Marshall University graduate students to monitor the movement of timber rattlesnakes in an effort to develop methods for moving the reptiles from high-use recreation areas. The project is part of a three-year-long study in Kanawha and Coopers Rock state forests and will … Read more
In an effort to understand declining firefly populations, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources has launched a citizen-science project to track lightning bug sightings in the Mountain State. West Virginia’s 40 species of fireflies have declined in number due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and other environmental causes such as light pollution, according to … Read more
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources has launched a citizen science project to track the distribution of eastern box turtles and is asking the public to report sightings of the important but declining reptile. Reporting box turtle sightings can be done by using geographic coordinates on the division’s map at tinyurl.com/wvboxturtle. Submitting a photo … Read more
West Virginia fields and forests teem with young wildlife in spring, and state biologists are reminding residents and visitors that disturbing young wildlife is unsafe, illegal, and often detrimental to the animal’s chance of survival. Tyler Evans, a wildlife biologist at the West Virginia State Wildlife Center near Buckhannon, West Virginia, says it’s a blessing … Read more
Densely wooded, West Virginia may be home to more than its share of bats—wheeling in the twilight as they feed on flying insects. But what have bats to do with the coronavirus outbreak? Most scientists agree the COVID-19 virus was first transmitted from a bat to a human, possibly after a human ate a bat … Read more
Thirteen species of turtle live in West Virginia, though the best known may be the eastern box turtle, which will be on the move this spring. The turtles are a familiar sight in backyards and along hiking trails—and on country roads, where motorists are often at a loss as to how to manage the situation. … Read more
Two gray wolves escaped their enclosure at the West Virginia Wildlife Center, near French Creek, West Virginia, according to a spokesperson for the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. The two were euthanized in the interest of public safely after attempts to safely recapture them failed, according to Andy Malinoski. Once common across the eastern … Read more
