First-ever marmot adoption has a happy ending
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A family of marmots rescued from Aurora. Photo: Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
Boulder County's Greenwood Rehabilitation Center managed to pull off not only a marmot family reunion, but the first recorded successful marmot adoption.
Why it matters: It's a rare wildlife rescue success story — and one that required a little matchmaking.
The rescue: A marmot and her nine pups were found earlier this month after making a den under a shipping container at an Aurora post office.
- After some close calls with vehicles, rescuers trapped the full family and reunited them at Greenwood.
The recovery: Greenwood staff said they likely hitched a ride down from the mountains in a vehicle, as many of the marmots had burns on their feet from a hot engine.
- The mother was also malnourished, so the animal family was kept in Boulder County until they were healthy and fit for release.
The adoption: At the same time the Aurora marmot family was recovering, Greenwood received four orphaned marmots from Winter Park.
- Staff was able to get the Aurora marmot mama to take in the Winter Park pups in what they say is the first-ever successful arranged marmot adoption in captivity.
The release: The entire marmot Brady Bunch was given a clean bill of health and released Monday into Staunton State Park near Conifer.
- Park rangers said they chose a spot far away from any roads, decreasing the chances this family goes on another road trip.
- Staunton State Park also has a marmot monitoring program.