State Wildlife Center Brochure - West Virginia Department of ...

West Virginia StateWildlife Center

FACILITIESThe Wildlife Center offers the perfect setting formotorcoach tours and school trips. Guided toursare available upon request.Picnic Area• 13 picnic tables• 10 grills• Pavilion: 8 tablesCall Wildlife Center Office for reservationsFishing Pond• waterfowl viewing• stocked with bass, bluegill,catfish and troutSteve ShalutaGift Shop• refreshments• souvenirsKEYWalkwayFoot BridgeFoot TrailAnimal EnclosureHandicapped AccessFishing PondParking AreaPicnic AreaRestroomsPavillionScale (in feet)Jack MillsJack Mills

HISTORYAlthough the Wildlife Center is a modern facility,its roots run deep into the annals of wildlifeconservation. In the early 1900s, West Virginia’swildlife populations were in sharp decline due touncontrolled exploitation and habitat destruction.Conservationists began vigorously promoting gamerefuges as a means of protecting diminishing wildlife.The West Virginia Conservation Commission(forerunner of the Division of Natural Resources)began purchasing land for game refuges inthe 1920s, using funds derived from the sale ofhunting licenses. The French Creek Game Farm waspurchased in 1923 and used periodically to penraisevarious species of game birds and animalsfor restocking projects for the next 29 years. Thisprogram was discontinued when it was proven tobe biologically unsound. Pen-raised animals do notdevelop survival skills necessary for life in the wild.From its beginning, the Game Farm attracted publiccuriosity. Recognizing its unique recreational andeducational value, the Conservation Commissiondeveloped several native wildlife species displaysfor the general public. These wildlife exhibitsproved to be so popular that in the fall of 1926,nearly 6,000 people visited the farm.In 1954, one pair of elk and bison were obtainedfrom Oklahoma. Elk and bison, which had previouslyroamed West Virginia, proved to be major attractions.Other species of formerly native wildlife, such asthe mountain lion, timber wolf and river otter, havebeen added over the years. The collection of exhibitanimals also includes three non-native wildlifespecies that now occur in our state: the Europeanwild boar, ring-necked pheasant and coyote.An entirely new exhibit area was designed andbuilt beginning in 1984. Funding was obtainedusing matching federal monies from the Land andWater Conservation Fund of the U.S. Departmentof Interior. On September 28, 1986, the new facilitywas dedicated and renamed the West Virginia StateWildlife Center.Jack Mills Jack Mills

EXHIBITSOperated by the Wildlife Resources Section of theWest Virginia Division of Natural Resources, theWildlife Center is dedicated to presenting visitorsa realistic and factual understanding of ourstate’s wildlife. This is accomplished by displayingeach animal in its natural habitat. The spaciousenclosures allow the animals to interact with theirenvironment and exhibit more natural behaviorpatterns. Interpretive signs help the visitor to learnmore about each animal’s life history, biology andits relationship with humans.The large grazers, elk and bison, have acres ofgrass on which to roam. Visitors can enjoy viewingwoodland wildlife by walking along a 1.25-milewheelchair-accessible interpretative trail through amature hardwood timber stand. The mountain lionand timber wolf, formerly the state’s top carnivores,live alongside their principal prey, the white-taileddeer. The state mammal, the black bear, is a featuredattraction. Even the elusive coyote, a recent residentof our state, can be seen. Many of the state’scommon and not so common small mammals andbirds are displayed in the numerous exhibits.The Wildlife Center’s most dynamic exhibitshowcases the river otter. This display allows visitorsto view the powerful and amazing swimmingabilities of these aquatic mammals from above aswell as below the water’s surface.River otter were nearly eliminated in West Virginiain the late 1800s. The Wildlife Resources Section ofthe Division of Natural Resources has successfullyreintroduced this animal back into the State.ADMISSIONFees are charged from April 1 through October 31only. Contact the Wildlife Center at 304.924.6211 forcurrent fees and group rates.Hours9 am – 5 pmWeather conditions may alter operating hours.Jack MillsRon SnowRon SnowRegulations• NO pets• NO alcoholic beverages• NO feeding the animals• Follow all posted regulations