Unwilling Tourist: Marmot Sneaks Into Truck, Ends Up at Denver Zoo
A routine return trip turned into an unexpected rescue mission for the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance after one very curious marmot hitched a ride—nearly 100 miles—from the mountains to the Mile High City.
Earlier this month, the zoo’s Field Conservation team wrapped up a project near Minturn, Colorado, a small town tucked into the Rockies west of Vail. But when they got back to Denver and began unloading the truck, they spotted something unusual tucked into the wheel well: a wild marmot, wide-eyed and very much alive after a nearly 3-hour drive.
Thankfully, the unexpected stowaway appeared unharmed. The zoo’s veterinary and animal care teams immediately jumped in to assess the marmot’s condition. After a thorough checkup confirmed the little guy was healthy, staff did the right thing—they loaded up once again and returned him to his mountainous home near Minturn.
Once released, the marmot darted off to a nearby rock pile, paused to give his accidental chauffeurs one last look, and then vanished back into the wild.
Denver Zoo used the moment to remind Coloradans to give nature its space—and to always check your wheel wells before heading out from the mountains. In areas like Rocky Mountain National Park and beyond, marmots (part of the squirrel family) are known for sneaking into tight spaces.
Bottom line? When you’re driving mountain roads this summer, double check your vehicle. You might have a hitchhiker with fur.
