Oct. 16, 2005
 
ON THE ROAD AGAIN: WV Wildlife Center Offers Up Close Views of Animals
 
By Chris Spencer
Huntington News Network Photographer
 
French Creek, WV (HNN) – The West Virginia State Wildlife Center at French Creek has a lot of wildlife native to West Virginia in a setting that allows visitors to encounter and see the animals and birds up close.
 
A 1.25 mile trail walks visitors around the display of animals. The trail starts going down the hill from the parking lot and winds in a loop eventually coming back to the parking lot.
 

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Some of the wildlife encountered will be otters, snakes, mountain lions, eagles, turkeys, hawks, coyotes, wolves, deer, fox, bobcats, owls and elk. All are fenced in or behind protective glass barriers. The glass barriers if clean will help picture takers.
 
The pair of otters is entertaining with their antics of playing, standing and showing affection for each other. They may even take a swim.
 
The mountain lion licking his large paw reminds one of a house cat only on a much larger scale. It moves with such stealth. You see it lying down by the fence and then after reading the sign you look up and there the mountain lion is five feet from you looking you right in the face sizing you up.
 
The owls look so much part of the trees that it takes careful observation to realize that they are present.
 
The trail is in a natural forest setting and has a lot of wildlife that can be encountered like chipmunks, squirrels and the sounds of many birds can be heard. .
 
The West Virginia State Wildlife Center is located on State Rt. 20 about 12 miles south of Buckhannon in Upshur County. There is a $3.00 admission charge.