West Virginia State Wildlife Center facts for kids
Quick facts for kids West Virginia State Wildlife Center |
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Bison exhibit at the West Virginia State Wildlife Center.
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 West Virginia State Wildlife Center
Location in West Virginia
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| Location | Upshur, West Virginia, United States |
| Area | 338 acres (137 ha) |
| Elevation | 1,745 ft (532 m) |
The West Virginia State Wildlife Center is a special zoo located in French Creek, West Virginia. It's run by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. This center lets you see many amazing animals that live or once lived in West Virginia.
You'll find both native animals (those that naturally belong here) and introduced species (animals brought here by people). Some animals you'll see here, like the bison, used to live freely in West Virginia. But they disappeared from the state by the early 1900s.
The Wildlife Center covers about 338 acres. It's home to 29 different species of mammals, birds, and reptiles from West Virginia. You can see these animals along a 1.25-mile trail that winds through a beautiful hardwood forest. The animal exhibits are large areas with fences. They are set up inside a real West Virginia forest. This allows the animals to act more naturally than they might in other zoos. About 50,000 people visit the Wildlife Center each year.
Contents
A Look Back: The Center's History
Why Animals Disappeared
A long time ago, in the early 1900s, many of West Virginia's big animals almost vanished. This happened because their homes were destroyed, and too many were hunted. By 1911, animals like elk, bison, wolves, and mountain lions were completely gone from the state. Even animals that are common today, like the white-tailed deer and wild turkey, were nearly wiped out.
From Game Farm to Wildlife Center
People became worried about West Virginia's wildlife. So, in 1923, the state government created the French Creek Game Farm. The idea was to breed native West Virginia animals there. Then, they hoped to release them back into the wild.
However, experts soon learned something important. Animals raised in captivity often don't have the natural instincts to survive on their own. So, the plan to reintroduce animals was stopped. But the Game Farm stayed open because it was a popular place to visit. People loved seeing animals that no longer lived in the wild in West Virginia. They also got to see animals that are usually very hard to spot, even if they live nearby.
Learning About Wildlife Today
In 1986, the French Creek Game Farm got a new name: the West Virginia State Wildlife Center. Today, the center teaches visitors about West Virginia's wildlife from the past and present. It also teaches about the history of wildlife conservation.
Besides the animal exhibits, the Wildlife Center has a gift shop. There's also another trail through the forest, and picnic areas with grills and picnic tables. You can also find a large fishing pond stocked with trout, bass, catfish, and bluegill. The center plans to add an educational building, an auditorium, and special exhibits for night animals, reptiles, and water animals. They also hope to build an aviary (for birds) and an aquarium (for fish).
Meet the Animals on Display
Here are some of the amazing animals you can see at the West Virginia State Wildlife Center:
- Groundhog (Marmota monax)
- Red fox (Vulpes vulpes)
- Gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus)
- Coyote (Canis latrans)
- Wolf (Canis lupus) (Once lived here, now gone from the wild)
- American black bear (Ursus americanus)
- Raccoon (Procyon lotor)
- Fisher (Pekania pennanti) (Brought back to the wild)
- North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) (Brought back to the wild)
- Striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis)
- Bobcat (Lynx rufus)
- Cougar (Puma concolor) (Once lived here, now gone from the wild)
- Wild boar (Sus scrofa) (Introduced by people)
- Elk (Cervus canadensis) (Brought back to the wild)
- White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
- American bison (Bison bison) (Once lived here, now gone from the wild)
- Canada goose (Branta canadensis)
- Turkey vulture (Cathartes aura)
- Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
- Red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
- Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
- Common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) (Introduced by people)
- Wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)
- Eastern screech owl (Megascops asio)
- Great horned owl (Bubo virginianus)
- Barred owl (Strix varia)
- Eastern ratsnake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis)
- Eastern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)
- Timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
How to Find the Wildlife Center
The West Virginia Wildlife Center is located about 12 miles south of Buckhannon. You'll find it on WV 20, where it meets Alexander Road. Some local people call Alexander Road "the Game Farm road," remembering the center's old name.
To get there, take WV 20 from Buckhannon. If you're coming from the south, use I-79 Exit 67 to US 19 north, then WV 4 north, and finally WV 20 north. Once you're on WV 20, turn onto Alexander Road. The entrance to the Wildlife Center will be on your right after about a quarter-mile.
