SANIBEL, Fla.- Biologists at J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge discovered a rice rat on Sanibel on Wednesday.

The biology crew trapped and tagged the rice rat, a species that is listed and protected by the State of Florida and that is being considered as Federally Threatened.

The biologists believe this is the first rice rat captured since 2009 on the island. 

PHOTO: J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge