Western North Carolina Nature Center Western North Carolina Nature Center

Smaggledagle

Smaggledagle

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5+ year member
The Western North Carolina Nature Center is a 42-acre facility located in Ashville, North Carolina. The center holds mainly native species such as red wolf, American black bear, cougar, red fox, white-tailed deer, North American river otter, striped skunk, red-tailed hawk, turkey vulture, barn owl, eastern box turtle, black rat snake, copperhead, Carolina anole, hellbender, and brook trout, along with domestics and red panda.

On February 8th, the center announced that the US Fish & Wildlife Service is planning on releasing (0.0.9) red wolves, including a (1.0) red wolf named Garnet that left the center in autumn 2021. On February 28th, it was reported that Garnet was one of the first wolves to be released, with a (0.1) from Zoo Knoxville, which have been released into the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge on February 8th

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Two critically endangered red wolves released in NC wildlife refuge – The Hill

On February 15th, the center announced they have closed a portion of the Appalachian Station for a couple weeks due to the construction of a bioactive exhibit for their (0.1) Carolina anole named Nancy.

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On February 23rd, the center announced that they acquired a (1.0) African pygmy goat named Bryan from a farm in Asheville.

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WNC Nature Center welcomes Bryan, a 5-year-old pygmy goat

On May 9th, the center announced they have acquired a (0.1) timber rattlesnake which is now on exhibit. On June 6th, the center announced her name, Mica.

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On October 21st, the center announced they acquired (0.2) anoles (species not specified) named Nora and Natalie from the Virginia Living Museum in Virginia.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=472930274870159&set=a.216608793835643

On November 21st, the center announced they built a new exhibit called The Educational Farmers Market Garden which opened on November 16th.

New Educational Farmers Market Exhibit Opens - WNC Nature Center
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On December 16th, the center announced that their (1.0) red-tailed hawk named Toli passed away.

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On January 11th, 2023, the center announced that they acquired (1.1) red wolves named Oak and Gloria from the North Carolina Zoo in North Carolina and the Endangered Wolf Center in Missouri respectively.

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On March 29th, the center announced that their (0.1) bobcat named Missy passed away at age 21 on March 25th due to suffering a fracture on one of her front and hind legs, as well as other unspecified conditions.

WNC Nature Center
 
On April 17th, the center announced that (1.1) white-tailed deer named Curly and Becca respectively passed away the week prior due to (directly or indirectly) a wild American black bear entering the exhibit.

WNC Nature Center
 
Was he their only cougar? I only saw one when I visited a few years ago. That’s rough that they’ve lost two felines in the past few months, to say nothing of their other recent losses.
 
Smaggledagle said:
On May 11th, the center announced that (0.0.9) red wolves were born in late April.

WNC Nature Center
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On June 16th, the center announced that a (0.1) red wolf pup passed away. On July 23rd, the center announced the remaining red wolves' genders (1.7) and names, Tony, Babs, Bonnie, Poppy, Ruby, Rufina, Sienna, and Toto.

7 Week Pupdate: The puppies are... - WNC Nature Center
11 Week Pupdate: You may have heard of... - WNC Nature Center

On July 26th, the center announced that a (0.1) coyote named Beatrice passed away at age 17 due to a tumor.

We are sad to share that Beatrice the... - WNC Nature Center

On July 28th, the center announced they acquired (2.0) coyotes named Cal and Walker from Izzie's Pond in South Carolina, and are now on exhibit.

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=652080360288482&set=a.216608793835643

On August 4th, the center announced they acquired a (1.0) bobcat named Tufts from the May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in North Carolina and is now on exhibit.

#FunFactFriday Not all bobcats are... - WNC Nature Center
 
zoogoer92 said:
Has anyone been to this facility? I'm visiting next week!
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I visited just about two years ago, and would gladly go back if I were in the area again. Just don’t go in expecting any rarities (although it is one of just two places I’ve seen a gray wolf). It’s a nice, very comfy native species facility, that also happens to have red pandas.
 
On September 20th, the center announced they acquired (0.2) common raccoons named Frankie and Grace which are on exhibit.

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On September 27th, the center announced that their (0.1) great-horned owl named Scruff passed away at age 38 due to arthritis and heart disease.

WNC Nature Center

On November 21st, it was reported that the center was granted $1.5 million for renovations including a seasonal butterfly exhibit, the demolition of the former elephant care house, a new event plaza, a new gift shop, and sidewalk improvements. Construction will begin in late March/early April 2024 and finish in spring 2025.

WNC Nature Center renovations butterfly exhibit and more

On December 2nd, the center announced that they acquired a (0.1) bobcat named Kohana from the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources which is now on exhibit.

WNC Nature Center

On January 5th, 2024, the center announced they acquired a (0.1) turkey vulture named Morticia from ZooAmerican in Pennsylvania which is now on exhibit.

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On January 8th, the center announced that they acquired (0.0.2) eastern newts named Duckweed and Fleabane which are now ambassador animals.

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On April 12th, the center announced that 3+ domestic chickens (of 3 breeds: Brown Leghorn, Egyptian Fayoumi, and Sicilian Buttercup) hatched which are on exhibit.

WNC Nature Center

On March 14th, the center announced that a (1.0) turkey vulture named Buzz passed away.

WNC Nature Center

On March 27th, the center announced they acquired 2 cougars named Hayla and Noa which are on exhibit.

WNC Nature Center

On April 8th, the center announced their (0.1) North American river otter named Olive passed away on April 6th.

WNC Nature Center

Smaggledagle said:
On November 21st, it was reported that the center was granted $1.5 million for renovations including a seasonal butterfly exhibit, the demolition of the former elephant care house, a new event plaza, a new gift shop, and sidewalk improvements. Construction will begin in late March/early April 2024 and finish in spring 2025.

WNC Nature Center renovations butterfly exhibit and more
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On July 11th, the center announced they demolished the former elephant house to make room for domestics.

WNC Nature Center

On July 16th, the center announced they moved (0.2) copperheads named Cyprus and Sorrel on display in the Appalachian Station building.

WNC Nature Center
 
Bad luck about the bridge, but the situation obviously could have been worse. I've been wondering how the zoos in Helene's path held up, and I'm glad this one made it through safely!
 
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