- Overhunting: Many larger animals, such as elk, bison, and bears, were hunted to extinction in West Virginia by the mid-1800s. This was due in part to the demand for fur, meat, and other products, as well as the loss of habitat due to logging and agriculture.
- Habitat loss: The clearing of forests and other natural habitats for agriculture, logging, and development has drastically reduced the amount of available habitat for larger animals. This has made it difficult for them to find food and shelter, and has also increased their exposure to hunting and other forms of human disturbance.
- Disease: Some larger animals, such as the eastern puma, have been decimated by diseases that were introduced by European settlers. For example, the eastern puma was heavily impacted by feline distemper, a virus that was brought to the Americas by domesticated cats.
- Climate change: Climate change is also having an impact on the survival of larger animals in West Virginia. The state's climate is becoming warmer and drier, which is making it more difficult for some species to find suitable habitat.
These are just some of the factors that have led to the extinction of larger animals in West Virginia. It is important to note that these factors are often interrelated, and that they have all contributed to the decline of these species.