The Allegheny woodrat, also known as “packrat” or “rock rat”, is only found in the Northeastern corner of the state. These mammals are native to the Appalachian Mountains and Interior Highlands and have historically been found from New York to Alabama. They are now listed as extirpated, endangered, species of concern or vulnerable across most of that range. They pose no threat to humans, require rocky habitat, and have a diet of plants and fungi. The next closest woodrat population is over 150 miles away in Pennsylvania, so this population is very isolated.
NJDEP Fish & Wildlife’s Endangered and Nongame Species Program staff set out this summer to release two woodrats from Virginia into the only known area in New Jersey where Allegheny woodrats still exist. This effort was made to help boost the population and was made possible by the collaboration of a regional woodrat working group: www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/allegheny-wild-rat-is-mysteriously-disappearing
Read about a previous “genetic rescue” effort with woodrats from Pennsylvania that was very successful for this NJ population: dep.nj.gov/wp-content/uploads/njfw/allegheny-woodrat-population.pdf
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