FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Salato Wildlife Education Center in Frankfort reopens on March 1.
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources operates the Salato Wildlife Center as part of its mission to educate 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.
To mark the occasion of Salato’s annual spring opening, the first 50 children through the doors will receive a complimentary souvenir sticker or magnet. Visitors can also expect to see renovations made during the center’s winter closure.
Renovations include an update to Salato’s popular bobcat enclosure. The exhibit now has a fully functioning water feature, complete with flowing stream, pond and small waterfall.
Work remains underway on an updated indoor exhibit space to highlight Kentucky’s nocturnal wildlife. The exhibit, set for completion by April 1, will include light-up displays and feature mounted specimens including bobcat, raccoon and great horned owl, among others.
The non-profit Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Foundation funded these exhibit renovations.
In addition to the animals and exhibits, the Salato Center offers miles of hiking trails. Most of these trails were closed last fall due to storm damage. The HabiTrek and Pea Ridge hiking trails will be ready for use again when the center reopens.
The Salato Wildlife Education Center is off U.S. 60, approximately 1½ miles west of the U.S. 127 intersection in Frankfort. 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.
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