Hutchinson ? About 175 prairie dogs whose habitat is in the way of a highway construction project are being moved to a ranch in southern Kansas.

The animals were trapped over the last 10 days and quarantined at the Hutchinson Zoo. After a veterinarian approved, plans call for moving them to a ranch in southern Kansas.

The Hutchinson News reports that the animals were trapped at two locations along Kansas 61 near Hutchinson.

Zoo director Charlotte Poepperling says the animals have all been checked for fleas and diseases. He says burrows and small cages will be built at the ranch to protect the prairie dogs from predators until they establish their own tunnels.

The effort is being funded by the Humane Society of the United States.