Alligator River/Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge P. O. Box 1969 Manteo, North Carolina 27954 Contact: Bonnie Strawser - 252-473-1131 Back to News Home Page

News Release

October 12, 2007

WildFest 2007 Both Educates and Entertains

WildFest 2007, the kick-off event for the annual Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival held each year in November on the Outer Banks
of North Carolina, is set for Saturday, Oct. 20, at the College of the Albemarle's Roanoke Island Campus (Manteo Middle School).
This year's WildFest 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.

Headlining this year's wildlife celebration is Predators in the Sky presented by the Carolina Raptor Center from Charlotte and
featuring live birds of prey. Shows will be at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m.

Also on hand will be popular DJ Steve the Dream from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The North Carolina Watermen United will hold a fish fry to
feed hungry attendees and Sea-Freeze will give away free slushies. 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 thousands 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 fish ring toss, critter
calls, rockwall climbing, archery, kayak paddling and safety, fire safety trailer, bird feeder building and 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! For more information about WildFest 2007 and Wings Over Water Wildlife
Festival, go to www.wingsoverwater.org.