Maymont's Wildlife Exhibits are scattered throughout the 40-acre valley between the historical estate, Children's Farm and Nature Center. All exhibits feature native Virginia wildlife in their natural habitats, including black bears, bison, white-tailed and sika deer, elk, gray and red fox, bobcats, birds of prey and an aviary displaying an impressive array of birds, many representing Virginia's wetlands.
The envy of zoologists across the nation, Maymont's bear habitat alone is worth a visit. The large terrain includes a rock scramble, a pond (formerly a quarry pit), and multiple areas for climbing, sleeping, hiding and eating. The exhibit is multi-species—including red fox, turtles and ducks; undergoes seasonal changes on its own; features thriving vegetation with diversity that is naturally occurring; and even hosts migratory birds.
Neither of the two black bears currently residing at Maymont could have survived in the wild. One was orphaned as a cub, and when proven methods for bonding it with a wild sow (female bear) failed, a home was found at Maymont.
Maymont's exhibits include many other healthy, but non-releasable, wild animals. These animals are accepted only from licensed rehabilitators and agencies that expertly nurse orphaned or injured wildlife back to health. While most rehabilitated animals are released into the wild, some animals are deemed unable to survive without assistance and find refuge at Maymont, where they serve important roles as wildlife ambassadors in education programs and exhibits.
All of Maymont's animals are well cared for by a team of professional zoologists, including five full-time zoologists, three part-time animal keepers & three full-time aquarists. Maymont's animal volunteer staff varies seasonally; many volunteers are needed year-round.
Read more about the native Virginia wildlife at Maymont:
Aviary
Birds of Prey
Bison
Black Bear
Bobcat
Red & Gray Fox
Elk
Sika Deer
White-tailed Deer
Aviary
More than 200 species of birds are regularly seen in Virginia each year.
Some stop over only on their migrations, while others either winter
or summer in Virginia. The ducks, heron, gulls, geese, egret and other
birds in Maymont's Aviary were captive-raised or have permanent injuries
that prevent them from surviving in the wild.
Birds of Prey
All birds of prey exhibited at Maymont have permanent injuries that
prevent them from surviving in the wild. Among the raptors on display
are red-tailed hawks, vultures, and great horned and barred owls. They
are largely meat eaters and have powerful wings and talons. Red-tailed
hawks are a large species and are beneficial because they feed on rats,
mice and insects. Vultures (which are protected by federal law) are
always on the lookout for their next meal, typically a sick, injured
or dying animal. Hawks and vultures are day birds that love to soar.
Conversely, Virginia's owls are nocturnal (active at night). The great
horned owl is Virginia's largest native owl, capable of attacking an
animal twice its own size. Owls have large immovable eyes and virtually
noiseless flight.
Bison and White-tailed Deer
Bison once roamed most of the North American continent from the mountain
grasslands of the West and east into Virginia. Often called buffalo,
they belong to the same family as sheep, goats and cattle. A mature
bull may weigh more than 2,000 lbs. White-tailed deer in Virginia now
number more than one million, a population greater than that when settlers
first arrived here. Being very adaptable, they have learned to live
around humans. Wild deer are often seen in Maymont and are becoming
more common in urban areas. Male deer (buck) grow a new set of antlers
each year and shed the old ones in February or March.
Black Bear
These large omnivores were once common in Virginia but, with loss of
undisturbed habitat, they are now found only in some mountain counties
and in the Dismal Swamp in southeastern Virginia. Maymont's bears are
fed meat, fruit, grasses, fish and other food in a secure holding area
at night and are allowed to roam the habitat during daylight hours.
Bobcat
These secretive nocturnal hunters are common in Virginia, but seldom
seen. Excellent hearing and vision helps them hunt small mammals, such
as mice, squirrels and rabbits. However, these medium-sized cats are
actually capable of taking a sick or small deer. They hunt from the
ground, but will pounce on prey from trees. Bobcats get their name from
their unusually short tails which can be anywhere from 3 to 7 inches
in length. Maymont's bobcats were born in captivity and would be unable
to survive in the wild.
Red & Gray Fox
Foxes belong to the dog family and most members of the family are not
tree climbers. The gray fox is different; it is an excellent climber.
Gray foxes regularly forage in trees and climb trees to escape enemies.
Not a climber, the red fox relies on its excellent running capabilities.
Maymont's red foxes were found as orphan kits (baby foxes) and were
hand-raised. Larger and more territorial than the gray fox, the red
foxes reside in the bear habitat.
Elk and Sika Deer
A large member of the deer family, elk (also known as Wapiti) no longer
live in Virginia, but several small herds existed in the Blue Ridge
Mountains until the late 1950s. In early autumn, the bull often gives
a loud whistle or "bugles" as part of the mating ritual. The Sika deer,
a small relative of the elk, is native to Asia. The species was introduced
to Virginia and now lives on Chincoteague and Assateague Islands.
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