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.

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.

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."

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

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