WICKLIFFE, Ky. – Live animals native to Kentucky’s woodlands will be on view – up close and personal – at Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site on Saturday May 17, 2008.

The Animals of Kentucky Woodlands show will begin at 1 p.m. CST at the park in Wickliffe in Ballard County, on the Mississippi River in western Kentucky.

Tammy Elza, a naturalist with the Kentucky Environmental Education Company, will introduce visitors to some of Kentucky’s native wildlife. “The presentation will focus on nocturnal animals, birds of prey and reptiles,” said Carla Hildebrand, park manager. “These fascinating creatures would have been around the same time as the Native Americans who once called this village on the bluff of the Mississippi River home.”

Displays of the Mississippi River environment and information about the Ballard Wildlife Management Area operated by the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources will be available. Drawings for door prizes begin at 2:30 p.m.  Free posters and environmental education materials will be distributed while supplies last.

Visitors will also be introduced to new bird-watching areas that have been added to the park.  This program is in conjunction with the Ballard County Doo Wop Days Festival. General fees to Wickliffe Mounds and the event are $5 for adults, $4 for children ages 6 to 12, free to kids ages 5 and under.

Call Wickliffe Mounds at 270-335-3681 or visit the park’s website at www.parks.ky.gov for more information.

Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site has a museum, gift shop, trail, and picnic area. It is located at 94 Green Street, US Highway 51 in Wickliffe, Ballard County, Kentucky, along the Great River Road.   The park is an important Native American archaeological site and represents a unique part of Kentucky’s history.

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The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 53 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Commerce Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges -- more than any other state. Each year, Kentucky parks draw 7 million visitors and contribute $317 million to the economy. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our Web site at http://www.parks.ky.gov.