Joe Manchin III, Governor
Frank Jezioro, Director

News Release : March 25, 2008

West Virginia State Wildlife Center Begins 2008 Visitors Season with New Attractions

            The West Virginia State Wildlife Center at French Creek in Upshur County begins its 2008 season by offering visitors two new attractions. A newly-completed fisher exhibit will provide visitors a close up view of these shy and secretive animals of northern forest community, and a special display of “Jack” the black bear, a long-time favorite, will stir some memories of past visitors.

             “Each year we eagerly anticipate the beginning of our visitor season,” said Rob Silvester, Wildlife Center Biologist for the Division of Natural Resources (DNR).  “Our staff is hard at work making necessary preparations to ensure that each visitor has a memorable and educational trip to the Center.  We are especially pleased to provide these new attractions for the further enjoyment of our visitors.”

            Fishers are members of the mustelid family and were historically found from the Sierra-Nevada Mountains in California, north and east to New England, and south into the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia. The species disappeared from much of its range during the late 1800s due to loss of habitat and over-exploitation by man. Fishers were reintroduced in West Virginia in the early 1970s and have increased their population and expanded their range through much of the state.

            Also new this year, in the Wildlife Center Gift Shop, will be a full-body display of “Jack” the large black bear that resided at the Center from 1973 to 1994.  Jack, one of the most familiar bears in the state, was born at the Center in 1973.  “He was everybody’s favorite,” said retired Wildlife Center Superintendent, Bill Vanscoy. Jack was the biggest bear to ever reside at the Center, tipping the scales at nearly 600 pounds. Jack died of natural causes in 1994.  His display is scheduled to arrive at the Wildlife Center Gift Shop on April 5, 2008.   

            The animal exhibits are the most familiar attribute of the Wildlife Center, but their ability to attract visitors allows DNR to accomplish its main objective – presenting a realistic and factual understanding of our state’s wildlife resources. “Conservation education is a vital part of any wildlife management program. The nearly 40,000 visitors who annually come through the Center provide an outstanding opportunity to educate them on key wildlife management issues” stated Silvester.  In 2007, visitors came from 11 foreign countries, 35 states, and 51 West Virginia counties. 

            For more information about activities at the Center, contact the West Virginia State Wildlife Center at P.O. Box 38, French Creek, WV  26218, phone: (304) 924-6211, or visit the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Web page at www.wvdnr.gov

**DNR**