June 30, 2025
Photo Courtesy of NRGNPP

LANSING, WV (SWVO) – Rangers at New River Gorge National Park & Preserve (NRGNPP) successfully rescued a kitten last week after two days of attempts at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center.

The kitten, described as extremely skittish, was first heard crying from inside the storm drains on Tuesday. 

Each time rangers approached, the animal retreated further into smaller drain pipes, making it unreachable, according to NRGNPP.

Persistence paid off the following day when the kitten was safely captured using a live relocation trap provided by the park’s natural resources division. 

He is now being fostered by one of the park rangers and has been affectionately named Michaelangelo, or “Mikey.”

‘Mikey’ looking happy! | (NRGNPP/Facebook)

Park staff thanked visitors who stopped by to offer help or ask about the situation. 

Officials said they wanted to share the good news for those who had been following the story during their visit.

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