Staff members at a mini-golf course in Pennsylvania got more than they bargained for when they discovered an unexpected “prize” in one of their gaming machines.
Employees at The Meadows Family Fun Mini Golf were stunned when they found a young groundhog trapped inside their claw machine.
Footage showed the young ground squirrel running around stuffed animals inside the machine, trying to escape but struggling to get out.
Shortly after, staff members quickly called State Forest Ranger Salvadore Zaffuto to help safely rescue the marmot.
Employees at The Meadows Family Fun Mini Golf were left stunned after finding a young groundhog trapped inside their claw machine.
Footage showed the young ground squirrel running around stuffed animals inside the machine trying to escape but struggling to get out.
As Zaffuto approached the machine, he saw the brown animal running around and occasionally sticking its head out to “assess the situation,” according to the Facebook Publication made by the gaming center.
Officials later said they called the company that supplied the game to unlock the machine, which they successfully did.
Game warden Zaffuto was then able to capture the groundhog, which was released “unharmed,” according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
On August 9, The Meadows announced it planned to host a contest to name the groundhog and win a gift card as a prize.
“We’d like to hold a contest to name the groundhog. Please comment your favorite name and we’ll pick a winner who will win a $25 gift card. Help us name Mr. Meadows,” the Facebook post read. read.
As state forest ranger Salvadore Zaffuto approached the machine, he saw the brown animal running around and occasionally sticking its head out to “assess the situation.”
Warden Zaffuto was then able to capture the groundhog, which was released “unharmed,” according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
This comes months after a woman was left shocked to find a possum hiding in her Christmas tree while she was decorating it, after hearing the animal sneeze from inside its branches.
In December 2023, Brett, an animal lover living in Texas who has her hands full with three dogs, a snake, a lizard and a cat, took to TikTok to reveal that she found a “furry” surprise after putting up her artificial snow tree.
The content creator shared images of the rodent resting on the fake tree while explaining that she had “no idea” how the animal got into her home.
In a series of viral videos, Brett gave viewers a glimpse of the possum trying to spread Christmas cheer by living in their tree that was decked out with ornaments and tinsel.
After a few calls to her boyfriend and Animal Control, the rodent was removed from her tree.