WildFest 2008, set for Saturday, Oct. 25 at the COA Roanoke Island Campus (on Hwy. 64, Across from the Food-A-Rama grocery store), offers a close-to-home nature experience for children, wildlife enthusiasts of all ages, and educators.

The day-long festival begins at 11 a.m. and includes wildlife and wildlands games, educational information on area wildlife, and special demonstrations. Folks will be on hand to share artifacts, pelts, soft traps, radio collars and literature on the red wolf recovery effort. Learn how this majestic animal, once extinct in the wild, was first reintroduced to the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in Dare County. Hear how volunteers and staff track the red wolves, how the radio collaring program works, and where the primary wolf packs roam on hundreds of thou-sands of acres across three mainland North Carolina counties since the first pairs were released nearly 20 years ago.

There are too many activities to list but some offerings specifically for children will include a critter calls, face painting, while children and adults alike can learn about Alligator River’s black bears; the special critters that call the ocean surf zone and shallow sound waters home with Soundside Discovery; and hunter safety and education. Don’t miss this fun and fascinating wildlife event!