Two marmots, typically found in the Sierra Nevada mountains, have been discovered in urban Bay Area locations, prompting bewilderment among wildlife rescue organizations.
One marmot was found on September 4 in San Francisco's Mission District and is currently recovering at an animal rescue center. The second was discovered on September 10 in Antioch. Officials believe this second animal may have traveled from the mountains to the city by hitching a ride on a vehicle.
Yggdrasil Urban Wildlife Rescue stated on social media that the Antioch marmot has been safely captured and is also recovering at their center as they attempt to determine its origin. A spokesperson for the rescue described the situation as one of the "stranger cases" they have encountered.
Wildlife experts suggest that marmots can sometimes crawl into the underside of vehicles and may consume radiator fluid, which can lead to disorientation or unconsciousness. When they awaken, they might find themselves far from their natural habitat.
Antioch Animal Services indicated that the most recent marmot likely originated from a mountainous region near Lake Tahoe, possibly traveling over the Labor Day weekend. They have asked anyone who was in the Antioch area near Delta Fair Blvd and the Pittsburg end in the days following the holiday weekend to report their travel locations to aid in returning the animal.
Rescuers also noted the possibility that the marmots might have hidden within vehicles returning from the Burning Man festival in Nevada, an event that draws many attendees from the Bay Area. The rescue organization urged individuals who were in the Lake Tahoe area around September 4, particularly those returning from Burning Man, to check their vehicles for any wildlife that might have stowed away.