Marmot Rescued from Engine Block in California

A California woman encountered a surprising issue: a marmot hidden in her car engine.

The El Dorado County Fire Protection District shared the story online. A local resident visited the Pollock Pines station to ask for assistance with an unexpected animal obstruction beneath her car's hood.

"Did you know that marmots are mammals with grizzled brownish fur, a yellow belly, and a whitish spot between the eyes? Did you also know that they are known to inhabit Yosemite's high country above 6500' elevation?  What you probably wouldn't believe is that one was found inside of a vehicle, inside of a fire station in Pollock Pines, CA. Hint: marmots are not native here. A local resident recently visited Yosemite and was shocked to discover one hiding within the engine compartment of her vehicle. Firefighters assisted in removing some vehicle components to access the animal. California Department of Fish and Wildlife responded and assisted in safely removing the marmot from the vehicle and securing the healthy animal so it could be relocated home. Great teamwork everyone!" the post says.

The stowaway turned out to be a marmot, which likely traveled with her during a recent trip to Yosemite National Park.

According to the social media post, "Firefighters assisted in removing some vehicle components to access the animal." The California Department of Fish and Wildlife then worked alongside firefighters. They helped safely extract the marmot and secure the healthy creature for relocation back to its natural habitat.