FRENCH CREEK, W.Va. — The West Virginia Wildlife Center was designed to be a reflection of the wildlife in West Virginia. The zoological attraction in Upshur County includes exhibits of wildlife which exist in West Virginia, or once existed here and died out.
Much like the wild, the Wildlife Center reflects the changing seasons. Visitors stopping by during the late days of spring and early summer are being treated to the always enjoyable sights of the young of the year.
“We had a baby buffalo calf born and a litter of seven baby skunks,” said Wildlife Center Manager Gene Thorne. “I’m sure we’re going to have a pile of whitetail fawns and calf elk here shortly.”
Thorne admits the young animals are always the most attractive to folks who make a day trip to the facility. They were also a hit with school field trips who visited over the last few weeks of the school year. The buffalo calf is the third in as many years after a fairly long dry spell at the facility.
“We’re really fortunate to have had three born,” Thorne said. “We’re trying to promote them all we can because people love seeing those little calves. They’re cute as all get out.”
The facility, which started as a game farm in the 1920’s, had the original mission of raising and releasing wild game species in an effort to bolster population numbers. Researchers realize after many years of trying it was an effort in futility and instead adjusted the mission to one of an educational outreach. It’s been a much more successful pursuit.
“They’re really excited when they come here. We have a tour guide for the summer and I give some tours too, and they’re really torqued when they get here.” said Thorne. “A lot of them have never seen anything except the very common animals like deer and turkey, everything else here is brand new to them usually.”
The Wildlife Center suffered a severe blow from Sandy last October. Like much of the state, the weight of leaves laden with snow caused numerous limb breaks within the center and damaged a number of the holding areas. Despite the damage, none of the animals escaped with the exception of two eagles. Thorne said they are awaiting replacements from the raptor rehab centers when one arrives which cannot be returned to the wild.
“Everything is restored except the tops on a couple of pens,” Thorne said.
The Wildlife Center is open every day of the year.