Hikers warned as mischievous marmots wreak havoc in California park
- Yellow-bellied marmots in California‘s Sequoia National Park are causing disruption by stealing gear, chewing equipment and disabling parked vehicles.
- The ground squirrels actively target trailheads and parking areas from May to mid-July, driven by a search for food and salt found on sweat-stained items and car components.
- Vehicle damage caused by marmots chewing radiator hoses and electrical wiring has left some visitors stranded with costly repair bills.
- The National Park Service advises visitors to wrap their vehicles in plastic tarps to prevent the animals from crawling into engine compartments.
- With peak season over, officials say tarping is no longer necessary, but Samantha Weldon, manager of the Silver City resort, still recommends it for multiday hikes.
More bulletins