Not every wildlife rescue begins with an emergency call. Sometimes, it starts when someone gets home from a trip and discovers that they accidentally brought home a very unexpected passenger.
That’s exactly what happened to one Lafayette resident this week after making the drive back from Colorado’s mountain communities. Somewhere along the way, a curious marmot apparently decided to hitch a ride and ended up making itself comfortable inside the vehicle’s rear fender.
According to local authorities, the furry stowaway had traveled all the way from the Winter Park area before finally being discovered in Lafayette. That’s quite the road trip for an animal that typically spends its days wandering alpine meadows and rocky mountain terrain.
The marmot, however, didn’t seem particularly interested in ending its adventure.
The Marmot Had No Interest in Leaving Its Cozy Fender Condo
Officials said the animal had lodged itself inside the rear fender and appeared to be perfectly content staying there. Judging by the caption, the little traveler had found itself a rather cozy hiding spot and wasn’t exactly eager to leave.
However, it must have gotten spooked because it started to run away once officials got closer. Fortunately, Animal Protection Officer Hettinger was up for the challenge.
With assistance from Erie Police Officer Pendleton, Officer Hettinger carefully worked to remove the stubborn passenger from its temporary automotive home. Authorities said the pair were eventually able to safely scoop up the marmot without incident.
Once safely removed from the car, the marmot was transported to Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, where wildlife experts will evaluate the animal’s health before returning it to the mountain area where it belongs.
Wildlife Experts Say Vehicle Stowaways Aren’t as Rare as You’d Think
Officials did not say exactly how long the marmot had been riding inside the vehicle, though it’s safe to assume the trip was considerably longer than the animal had anticipated.
Marmots are large ground squirrels commonly found throughout Colorado’s mountainous regions. While they are often seen sunbathing on rocks or darting between burrows, they’re not exactly known for requesting rides down the mountain.
Still, wildlife experts say incidents like this are not entirely unheard of. Small animals occasionally seek shelter inside vehicles, especially after cars have been parked outdoors in wooded or mountainous areas.
Because of that, authorities are encouraging residents who spend time in the mountains to inspect their vehicles before heading home.
A Quick Vehicle Check Could Save a Wild Animal’s Life
A quick walk around the vehicle, along with checking wheel wells and listening for unusual sounds, could help prevent an unexpected wildlife relocation. While this particular story ended happily, transporting wild animals far from their natural habitat can create serious problems for the animals themselves.
Many species rely on familiar territories for food, shelter, and protection. Fortunately for this adventurous marmot, there were plenty of people willing to help ensure its accidental cross-country excursion didn’t become a permanent move.
As for the marmot, officials say it will soon be heading back to the mountains, hopefully this time in a much more appropriate mode of transportation.
And if you’ve recently returned from a trip to the mountains, it might not hurt to check your car. You never know who might still be riding along.