Daycation: Experience exotic animals at Hovatter’s Wildlife Zoo in West Virginia

Walk on the wild side with a Daycation Destination to Hovatter’s Wildlife Zoo in Kingwood, W.Va.

Brenna Yokum was excited to view and interact with exotic furry and feathered animals during her inaugural zoo visit in July.

“I’m enjoying everything. My boyfriend and I are animal enthusiasts and we’re like little kids just having our heyday here,” Yokum said while feeding an ostrich. “I’ve never seen some of these animals before.”

Yokum, 23, traveled from Elkins, W.Va., to Hovatter’s, home to more than 30 different species of exotic and native animals from around the globe.

Since 1991, visitors have traveled off the beaten path to experience animal encounters that include feeding giraffes, camels, bears, lemurs and more.

Animal food available for purchase includes carrots, granola bars, zoo biscuits, popcorn, bird seed sticks and grass feed.

Viewing opportunities include African lions, Bengal tigers, Russian wild boar, Himalayan bears, Japanese macaque, leopards, African pygmy goats, reptiles and more.

Also referred to as the West Virginia Zoo, Hovatter’s is located in rural Preston County about 100 miles from Downtown Pittsburgh and 18 miles southeast of Morgantown, W.Va.

A small rollercoaster and a Ferris wheel provide thrills for the kids, and the ice cream shop (cash only) is a go-to sweet spot on the grounds.

“The white-handed monkey toward the entrance was my favorite,” Yokum said. “He started hooting at us, and some of the tricks he was showing us were really cool. And I’m really excited to go feed the giraffes. I haven’t seen wolves in person either. I’m loving it.”

“We love animals, and we love what we do,” said owner/operator Bryan Hovatter, 51.

Hovatter got his start among exotics selling movie production animals.

“We started collecting so many animals we decided to have this,” he said.

Joyce Hanz | Tribune-Review

Hovatter’s Wildlife Zoo.

The zoo sits on more than 50 acres, and all exhibits are planned with conservation, sustainability and community high on the agenda, Hovatter said.

“I just had a dream, I guess,” said Hovatter, a resident of Masontown, Fayette County. “The thing that draws people in here is it’s so hands on.”

More than 100 schools plan field trips to Hovatter’s annually.

Hovatter’s began as a small collection of bears, tigers, cougars and deer. It now showcases one of West Virginia’s largest collections of native and exotic animals.

Joyce Hanz | Tribune-Review

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A tortoise at Hovatter’s Wildlife Zoo.

The zoo hosts various events throughout the year that include car shows, a Christmas light show, holiday celebrations and sensory-friendly nights for patrons with special needs, autism or any other social anxiety disorder.

One-year-old Taytum Mulholland squealed with excitement clutching a carrot meant for a giraffe during her visit in July.

Taytum’s father, Bryson Mulholland, held onto his daughter tightly as the giraffe swooped in for multiple carrot snacks.

“It’s her first time interacting with animals, and she’s not afraid of anything,” said her mom, Chasity Mulholland. “The atmosphere here keeps us coming back. The tigers are something we enjoy seeing.”

Hovatter’s operates seasonally, opening in mid-April and closing at the end of November.

It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is located at 291 Wagner Lane in Kingwood.

For more information, visit WestVirginiaZoo.com.