POCATELLO — Pocatello Parks and Recreation officials aren’t entirely sure how a rock chuck got into its storage warehouse by Ross Park.
But by the time the intruder was discovered, it had already caused hundreds of dollars in damages.
Officials said recently that the rock chuck had entered the warehouse and set up shop during a weekend this summer. Park officials discovered the damage caused by the marmot the following Monday.
By then, the animal had chewed up some foam kayak seats, cords, cardboard boxes and numerous rubber seals around the garage doors.
Some of the damaged items were incredibly difficult to reach.
Though rock chucks have been known to occasionally climb trees, this critter was able to access kayaks that were hanging 10 feet off the ground and a cardboard box that was stored 15 feet above the ground.
Though it took a few days, park officials were able to get the rock chuck out of the building. However, it must have enjoyed wreaking havoc inside the warehouse because it lingered in the area.
“I saw him waiting around outside for the next couple weeks,” said Lance Clark, outdoors supervisor for Pocatello Parks and Recreation. “He probably wanted back in.”
The warehouse is used to store sporting and outdoor equipment used by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. Officials have not yet determined whether the rock chuck damaged the items used during the winter and spring months. These items include tents, backpacking gear and team sports equipment.
The kayaks with the damaged seats were retired from future use, while the cords and the rubber garage door seals were replaced. Park employees also had to disinfect and sanitize numerous items because of the animal waste that was left behind.
