Stowaway marmot found exploring family garage in Cooper’s Crossing
An Airdrie family got an unexpected visitor last week when a marmot wandered into their detached garage. The animal, later identified as a hoary marmot, is believed to have hitched a ride on the family’s vehicle after a trip to Kananaskis, and returned to the same garage several days later before being captured by wildlife rehabilitators.
Homeowner Chris Ratzlaff said his adult child first noticed the creature and alerted the family. Ratzlaff entered the garage and found the marmot "hiding in a corner" and knocking items over as it scrambled for cover. At first he thought it might be a porcupine, so he opened the garage door and waited for the animal to leave on its own.
"It was hiding in a corner, and at first I thought it was maybe a porcupine, so I left the garage door open for it to leave," Ratzlaff said.
After the marmot exited, the family could identify the animal and connected it to a recent hike. Ratzlaff said his wife had been at the Ptarmigan Cirque Interpretive Trail in Kananaskis that same morning. He believes the marmot tucked itself into the underside of the vehicle—possibly in the engine compartment beneath a skid plate—and travelled the roughly 80 to 100-kilometre distance back to Airdrie.
Neighbourhood sightings and a return visit
Ratzlaff posted about the marmot in a local Cooper’s Crossing Facebook group as people began sharing photos and reports of sightings across the neighbourhood. On Saturday, the same marmot reappeared at the Ratzlaff garage while the family was working outside. This time the family closed the door to keep the animal contained and contacted the Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society (CWRS).
While waiting for the wildlife group to arrive, Ratzlaff set up a camera in the garage and filmed the marmot emerging from under a dark-coloured vehicle. The footage shows the animal sniffing around, inspecting video equipment and sampling snacks the family laid out to coax it into a large cage. Ratzlaff said the marmot was adept at avoiding a net and took some time to catch.
CWRS staff examined the marmot after capture. Ratzlaff said the group provided a health check and took responsibility for the animal’s care and disposition.
What happened and what neighbours can expect
The incident has highlighted how wildlife can inadvertently travel large distances by hiding in vehicles, especially when travelling from mountain areas back to communities in the foothills and plains. For Airdrie residents who recreate in Kananaskis and surrounding provincial areas, the encounter is a reminder to check around and under vehicles parked near trails, campsites or roadside pullouts.
- Check under and around vehicles before driving away from trailheads or overnight parking areas.
- Keep garage doors closed when not in active use to prevent wildlife from entering.
- Contact licensed wildlife rehabilitators for help in safely handling wild animals rather than attempting capture yourself.
Timeline
| Date / Day | Event |
|---|---|
| Earlier that Tuesday | Family member returned from Ptarmigan Cirque Interpretive Trail in Kananaskis |
| That evening | Adult child discovered marmot in detached garage; animal left when door opened |
| Following days | Residents reported sightings across Cooper’s Crossing |
| Saturday | Marmot returned to same garage; CWRS contacted and captured animal |
The neighbourhood response on social media ranged from curiosity to practical advice about dealing with wildlife. Ratzlaff, who runs the Alberta Aurora Chasers Facebook page, said the family learned a lot about marmots during the week following the encounter.
For now the Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society has the marmot in its care following the on-site examination. Ratzlaff said the society performed an exam and then took the animal to provide appropriate treatment and assessment for release or further care. The event concludes as a small but vivid reminder of how close human and wild spaces are in this region.
The incident will likely stay in neighbourhood conversation for some time as residents consider how to reduce unintended wildlife passengers when returning from mountain outings.
