DistantNews
Support us
Marmots cause chaos at US national park, stealing shoes and damaging cars
🇰🇷 South Korea /Environment & Climate

Marmots cause chaos at US national park, stealing shoes and damaging cars

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Marmots in California's Sequoia National Park are increasingly stealing hikers' belongings, including shoes and backpacks.
  • The rodents are also damaging vehicles by chewing through hoses and licking fluids, with one visitor incurring $1,000 in towing costs.
  • Park officials advise visitors to be cautious, and some are using plastic tarps to deter the animals, though their effectiveness is not statistically proven.

Sequoia National Park is facing an unusual problem: a surge in marmot-related incidents where the rodents are targeting hikers' gear and vehicles. These furry culprits have been observed snatching backpacks and making off with individual shoes, prompting some visitors to take precautions like tying their footwear together.

In the past, I had a shoe stolen while camping and found it under a log. Since then, I've started tying my shoes together every time I camp.

— Jeff WrightA hiker describing his experience with marmots stealing his belongings.

One hiker recounted losing a shoe during a camping trip, only to find it later under a log. Another lost a trekking pole after a marmot aggressively defended its theft. The animals' boldness extends to vehicles, where they have been seen entering parked cars to chew on hoses or lick internal fluids. One unfortunate visitor had to pay $1,000 for a tow after a marmot damaged their car.

My girlfriend tried to get the item back, but the marmot screamed and charged at her.

— Nitin GuptaA hiker recounting an incident where a marmot stole his trekking pole.

Ecologists suggest the marmots are attracted to the salt content found in items like backpack straps and trekking poles, which absorb human sweat. In response to the growing nuisance, the U.S. National Park Service has issued warnings to visitors. Some park-goers are attempting to protect their vehicles by covering them with plastic tarps, a measure that, while not statistically proven to reduce damage, may act as a visual deterrent.

The risk may decrease (with tarps), but it will not disappear entirely.

— Local officialCommenting on the effectiveness of using tarps to deter marmots.
About this summary

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

More Stories

From Our Blog