FRENCH CREEK, W.Va (WDTV) – The West Virginia Wildlife Center is open again after closing back in January to meet federal regulations. The U.S. Department of Agriculture ruled the facility had to make improvements to safety.

The wildlife center’s biologist, Trevor Moore says those changes include new fencing, security cameras, and nightly patrols.

“It’s just more of the regulations saying we have to have a perimeter fence — it’s for safety both for our animals and for people, we don’t need people getting in here at night and wandering close to the animals or other wild animals even,” said Moore.

An exception was made to open the wildlife center for the annual Groundhog Day Ceremony featuring French Creek Freddy.

While Freddy predicted an early spring, Moore says the facility is opening just in time to enjoy everything it has to offer.

“May is a big month for us for field trips, kids have been cooped up all winter, and having them come here and see all of the animals and get excited for wildlife again is always a big treat,” said Moore. “So we want people to come and see the animals in a safe environment and understand these animals are here native in West Virginia and we want people to know about them.”

Students aren’t the only ones coming out of hibernation. The center provides educational opportunities to learn about and see up close some of the wildlife you may find near you.

“Especially with springtime now you’re going to be seeing bears as they’re coming out of hibernation so we’ve got a big bear-wise campaign going on, you know, locking up food, securing trash bins, things like that,” said Moore. “But then other more elusive animals you might see once in a while, things like bobcats, generally pretty elusive and they’re going to see you long before you see them usually, but you’ll get a rare glimpse and it’s always fun to see that.”

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