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Oglebay Good Zoo Offers Encounters With Wildlife Such as a Red Panda, Two-Toed Sloth and Snow Leopard

Photo Provided A father and son hand-feed a ring-tailed lemur during an animal encounter at the Oglebay Good Zoo in Wheeling.

WHEELING — Imagine running your fingers through the plush fur of an endangered red panda, cradling a two-toed sloth in your arms, or looking a snow leopard square in the eye. If you think these experiences are reserved for big time TV personalities or famous Zoologists, think again.

Just ask Emmeline Kowalick or Gail Porter. They’ll point you to the Oglebay Good Zoo — where memorable encounters with the animals await.

In the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia, Good Zoo director Dr. Joe Greathouse and his staff make dreams reality with awe-inspiring animal encounters for adults and children alike.

“The interaction with the animals is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Kowalick, who traveled from Pottsville, Pennsylvania, to take her 12-year-old son Will to the Good Zoo.

“Our first encounter was with the red pandas, otters and sloth in March of 2018 – and it was amazing! We learned so much about each animal. Being in the same space and having contact was incredible. We were so impressed with how knowledgeable, kind, and caring the staff was.”

It’s a hallmark of the Good Zoo staff.

“I’ve experienced two animal encounters,” said Porter, who traveled an hour from Cameron. “The first with the sloth, and the second with the red pandas. Also, my husband and I gifted animal encounters as Christmas presents to our grandchildren. It’s not the usual toys or clothes — and we got to share the experience with them. It was an added bonus!”

Kowalick, in fact, also gifted the experience after her first visit.

Greathouse hopes that the unique experience to look animals directly in the eye will move guests to care more deeply about protecting them and conserving their habitats.

Inevitably, all visitors find their favorites.

“We took our three granddaughters, ages 12, 11 and 10,” Porter said. “We met Sweet Pea the two-toed sloth. Kambria, our 11-year-old, has been crazy about sloths so she was very excited. Susan, Sweet Pea’s handler, was so informative and the affection shown was wonderful to see. The look on the girls’ faces as they fed and held the sloth was priceless. I even got to hold her, too!”

It’s certainly worth the trip whatever your age.

Those wishing to schedule an animal encounter or plan a visit to the Oglebay Good Zoo may call 304-243-4030 or visit oglebay.com/good-zoo.

The Oglebay Good Zoo is the only institution in West Virginia that is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

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