FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 21, 2018)
The Salato Wildlife Education Center in Frankfort reopens for the season beginning March 1. The center, which features exhibits of the state’s fish and native wildlife, is a popular destination for families and school groups.
Later this season, visitors can expect to see a new addition: a striped skunk. It joins the center’s collection of animals that cannot be released back into the wild, but are trained at the center for educational programs.
“We hope that our skunk will help visitors become excited about Kentucky’s native wildlife,” said Tiffany Laracuente, a conservation educator at the center. “We are also looking forward to educating the public on skunks, and clearing up the myths about them that seem to persist in people’s minds.”
While skunks are an important part of the ecosystem, they are largely unappreciated for their role in keeping rodent and insect populations in check.
The Salato Center’s skunk is now training for its public appearances and will not be on permanent exhibit until later in the year. Visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of the skunk prior to that time should contact the center at (502) 564-7863 to see when it will be available for viewing. Fans can also check the center’s Facebook site for updates or email the center at Salato@ky.gov.
TripAdvisor rates the Salato Wildlife Education Center as one of the top five things to do in Frankfort.
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources operates the Salato Center as part of its goal of educating the public about the state’s native wildlife. The facility offers viewing opportunities for a variety of wildlife, including a bear, eagle, bobcats, deer, bison, birds of prey and more.
The center is off U.S. 60, approximately 1½ miles west of the U.S. 127 intersection. Look for the bronze deer statue at the entrance of the main Kentucky Fish and Wildlife campus.
Hours are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday. Salato is closed on Sunday, Monday and state holidays.
Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for youth 5 to 18. Children who are 4 years and younger are admitted free. The center also offers annual memberships for individuals and families.
Find more information about the Salato Wildlife Center online at fw.ky.gov, searching under the keyword Salato.
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