“Ostriches can disembowel you.” And, just like that, my son’s dreams of becoming an ostrich farmer are dashed. I’m on a behind the scenes tour of The Good Zoo, located at Oglebay Resort, outside of Wheeling, Virginia. Our host is Dr. Joe Greathouse, zoo director and assistant professor of biology at West Liberty University. His mission is to share the zoo’s focus on conservation, rehabilitation, and breeding programs.
Thanks to the West Virginia Tourism Board for partnering with us to explore the state! All opinions are our own.
The 35-acre zoo, the only zoo in the state of West Virginia accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, blends into the natural mountain landscape. More than 50 species of animals, 20 of which are rare and endangered, share their home with native squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, and birds.
The Good Zoo
We start our tour at the reindeer exhibit. As we examine a pair of recently shed reindeer horns, Dr. Joe shares why hosting animal encounters is beneficial. Not only do they help with socialization skills, but they’re also a vital part of animal enrichment.
Meet Princess, the Reindeer.
Fun Fact: Reindeer are circumpolar. They’re only found in a few regions near the North Pole. Maybe to stay closer to Santa?
We move on to a kid-favorite; the Big Red Barn. This exhibit houses two miniature donkeys, a llama, an opossum, and a barn owl named Howland. Outside is a coop complete with a flock of free-range chickens. We stumble upon them roaming throughout the zoo. Across from the barn reside a herd of five goats. The kids, given a chance to hand feed them, squeal as the goats nibble their palms.
Fun Fact: Miniature Donkeys first came to the US in 1929. They are usually kept as companion animals or pets.
Our next stop brings us to the migratory birds and butterflies. The zoo works with the West Virginia Division of Wildlife to rehabilitate ill or injured migratory birds; mostly owls, falcons, and hawks. Birds that can be rehabilitated are re-released into the wild. “Many of the (injured) birds are hit by cars,” Dr. Joe says. The zoo also participates in the Project Monarch Watch; a program that helps rear, release, and tag about 2000 butterflies a year.
Fun Fact: The Good Zoo is home to two Gorals, Mo and Mia. These rare Himalayan mountain goats are part of the species survival plan breeding program.
We explore a plethora of other animals; cheetahs, ring-tailed and white-tailed lemurs, white-naped cranes, and radiated tortoises, before arriving at Lorikeet Landing. This exhibit is an enclosed aviary, allowing guests an “up-close-and-personal” look at kookaburras, lorikeets, and other exotic birds. Guests have the option of purchasing a nectar cup to feed the birds.
Fun Fact: Cheetah females are picky. They are more likely to reproduce if they are allowed to choose their mate.
From there, we’re off to the Outback Exhibit. Red and Grey Kangaroos, along with red-necked Wallabies lie in the shade, ignoring us. Dr. Joe explains the complicated Species Survival Breeding Plan. Each animal has its own chart, complete with complex breeding information.
(Not So) Fun Fact: Male Kangaroos will fight to the death over territory and females. The zoo can only keep one fertile male.
We slip inside the entrance to the animal hospital. Dr. Joe explains the purpose of each room, before leading us to a door marked “Dangerous Animals.” “Stay back,” Dr. Joe warns. We pull the kids to the side as he swings open the door. Inside we discover a….duck. It stares at us, never moving a feather.
A white-naped crane.
Fun Fact: The Good Zoo participates in the Hellbender rearing and reintroduction cooperative conservation program. What’s a Hellbender? It’s an aquatic salamander that grows to 30 inches in length and resides in the mountain streams of West Virginia.
Our tour ends in the Discovery Lab; a hands-on children’s learning area. Besides the puzzles, games, and hands-on activities, we find an albino alligator, a herd of meerkats, and a tunnel of naked mole rats.
“This is my least favorite exhibit to clean,” Dr. Joe says, “The temperature is kept at 90 degrees all year round.”
Fun Fact: Animals all have their own personalities! Meet Kenny, the lemur who is old and cranky. He lives in the Discovery Lab because he prefers to avoid the company of other lemurs.
Before leaving the zoo we take a ride on the historic C.P. Huntington Train. Constructed in 1863, this train chugs 1 ½ miles around the zoo, carrying passengers through the Grevy’s zebra and ostrich enclosure.
Naked Mole Rats.
Fun Fact: Love Dinosaurs? You can find them at the Good Zoo. Take the train ride to discover the many species hiding in the woods!
Tips To Know Before You Go:
*Summer Hours are 10 AM until 5 PM.
*Winter Hours (begins in mid-August) are 10 AM until 4 PM.
*Entrance Admission is charged to non-zoo members.
*Ages 2 and under receive free admission.
*Train Rides are an additional fee.
*The zoo is located at 345 Zoo Circle, Wheeling, West Virginia.
And a final note:
Were You Wondering How To Survive an Ostrich Attack?
You can’t outrun an ostrich. Lie flat on the ground. The Ostrich will be able to kick you and step on you, but it won’t be able to curl its claws into you.
Take a walk on the wild side the next time you’re in Wheeling. Visit the Good Zoo!
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Wow! I love all of the fun facts! I love Zoos, and this will be on my travel list!
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My kids love seeing animals. We always take them to the zoo at least three times a year. This zoo looks wonderful.
This sounds like an awesome spot for families. My kids absolutely love visiting the zoo. We’d love to check this one out.
I love seeing animals, anywhere really. The Good Zoo looks like such a great place to visit. Experiencing wildlife and animals is not only fun but educational too. Thank you for introducing the Good Zoo to me, I’ll have to see if we can visit some time to have this experience too.
That looks like an awesome zoo to visit. I love taking my kids to the zoo. They love to see all the animals. Always a fun time at the zoo.
Visiting a zoo is always fun especially with kids in tow. We’ve never been to Wheeling. Would love to explore the area one day and visit the zoo.
I love to visit different zoos! I’ll have to check out The Good Zoo the next time I visit Wheeling!
I cannot imagine seeing those rats in my kitchen. I’ve learned so many new things about the fun facts section. It must be a wonderful feeling to conserve and protect these animals.
Oh wow! I’ve always love the zoo. It always make me feel connected to nature. The Good Zoo looks amazing. I will definitely visit this one day!
What a great place! I’ll have to plan a trip soon. I love watching the kangaroos, they are so funny!
It is so interesting to visit different zoos to see how they set up their exhibits and what animals they have.
It looks like it was named appropriately! I always enjoyed going to zoos that treat their animals compassionately. All the animals look very healthy.
What a fun place! I love reindeer. They seem so gentle! I love your photo of him. He looks like he’s ready for a nap.
This is such an interesting zoo! I loved seeing the red kangaroo and the kookaburra. I would love going on a hunt for all of the dinosaurs! That would be fun.
anywhere that has a zoo is an awesome thing for my kids to enjoy together ha- i love seeing the animals so this is a place we’d love to go too!
What a cool place. We always like checking out the zoo and seeing the animals. We haven’t been to the zoo in a while, so we need to go!
I love the zoo. I feel we don’t give enough attention to the wonderful places that we have in which we can visit these animals. It looks so peaceful