Native animals, habitats showcased at the Appalachian Fair

Widened eyes in fascination could be seen on the faces of fairgoers as they walked through the wildlife building packed with native animals and their habitats. Sponsored by the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency, the Wildlife building at the Appalachian Fair is an educational exhibit through hands-on learning for all ages. The exhibit showcases a variety of animals native to the region including fish, snakes, ducks, frogs, opossums, raccoons and more. The exhibit has been a part of the fair since the 1950s, the agency's District Lt. Bryan Kegley said. Kegley has been running the exhibit for more than 20 years with the help of officers in the area. More than 15 habitats, the exhibit allows fairgoers to learn about how animals native to the region live. Kegley said over the years the number of animals in the exhibit has decreased to be able to emphasize on each animal's needs. All of the animals in the exhibit are safely captured around the region by the agency, Kegley said, and then released when the fair ends. "Everybody loves it," Chase Rich, wildlife officer, said. "Even people that grow up here their whole life, they see stuff from their cars, they see stuff from the back porch, but they've never been able to actually walk by and see a raccoon within 15 feet of themselves or they've never seen a rattlesnake or a copperhead." Rich said the importance of habitat education continues to grow with drastic changes to the region resulting in a reduced amount of habitats. He said population growth is one cause of this as well as Hurricane Helene and the adaptation of farm practices. "Hurricane Helene came through and decimated the trees and vegetation along the river, which wood ducks have to have to nest in," he said, adding the agency has seen fewer wood ducks along the river. A mountain stream runs through the heart of the exhibit that leads to a cave with snakes and salamanders inside. The exhibit also includes a wetlands habitat, an upland habitat, fish exhibits and much more. In addition to the animals, native plants are also spread throughout the exhibit. This exhibit is free with entry to the fair and is open daily until the concluding of the 100th anniversary of the Appalachian Fair Saturday.