Pennsylvania Game Machine Exhibits Real Animal as Prize Alongside Stuffed Toys for Children

Pennsylvania Game Commission officials were dispatched to handle a furry reward situation.

Pennsylvania Game Machine Exhibits Real Animal as Prize Alongside Stuffed Toys for Children
Pennsylvania Game Machine Exhibits Real Animal as Prize Alongside Stuffed Toys for Children

At a miniature golf course in Duncansville, Pennsylvania, employees were surprised to see a "prize" moving inside a claw machine at the Meadows Family Fun Mini Golf venue.

Officials were summoned when workers at the mini golf course discovered a living animal instead of a stuffed one.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission posted photos of a woodland creature on Instagram, revealing its discovery.

The officials released photos of a groundhog concealed among the stuffed rewards within the machine.

According to the post, Game Warden Salvadore Zaffuto was tasked with investigating and assisting in the removal of the stuck groundhog.

Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania
A groundhog was found crawling inside a claw machine at a miniature golf course in Duncansville, Pennsylvania (actual groundhog not pictured). Seen in this image is Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 136th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 2, 2022. Groundhogs are a common game animal in Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger, File)

According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services, a groundhog can weigh up to 11 pounds.

Groundhogs inhabit regions with rocky outcrops, ranging from valley bottoms to alpine tundra, while steering clear of dense forests.

The lowland animals are surprisingly quick — and are good tree climbers.

GROUNDHOG rescue claw machine
Pennsylvania Game Commission officials posted an odd animal rescue story on Instagram after a groundhog was discovered crawling around stuffed animal prizes that were locked inside a claw machine. (Pennsylvania Game Commission)

As the machine (for investigation, not play) approached, SGW Zaffuto observed the stuffed animals move and the groundhog emerged from amongst the prizes, according to the post.

The officials contacted the vending machine company to retrieve the woodchuck from the machine and release it back into its natural environment without any harm.

Officials joked that "next time," they hoped "the groundhog would simply participate in the game using tokens, rather than attempting to deceive in order to claim the reward."

groundhog stuck in Pennsylvania claw machine
The groundhog, found in a claw machine at a Pennsylvania miniature golf course, was rescued safely and released back into the wild. (Pennsylvania Game Commission)

Planet Chronicle Digital reached out to the Pennsylvania Game Commission for additional comment.

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