Wildlife Center of Virginia helping out some woodrats

WAYNESBORO, Va. (WVIR) - The Wildlife Center of Virginia was recently paid a visit by an endangered species of rat.

Alleghany woodrats - also known as packrats - are medium-sized, nocturnal rodents.

Nine woodrats were brought to WCV last week to be treated and later released in Ohio, where the population is dwindling.

“The entire goal of live trapping and relocating these woodrats hundreds of miles away, specifically, is to increase genetic diversity into these at-risk populations,” Alex Wehrung said Thursday, September 21.

The species population is considered stable in Virginia, but categorized as endangered in several states.

Wehrung says the transportation was a success.

RELATED: Ohio-bound Allegheny Woodrats at the Wildlife Center of Virginia

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