How a Delaware gardener befriended a thieving marmot—and went viral
A Delaware man turned an unexpected garden pest into an online sensation. Jeff Permar’s vegetable patch was repeatedly raided by a marmot, later named Chunk. Instead of chasing the animal away, he chose to share his harvest—and the story soon captured global attention.
The trouble began when Permar noticed his carrots, melons, and tomatoes disappearing. Hidden camera footage revealed the culprit: a bold marmot, later christened Chunk. The animal didn’t just snack quietly—it would sit and stare directly into the lens, almost as if mocking the gardener.
Rather than resorting to traps or deterrents, Permar took a different approach. He divided his garden, setting aside a section for the marmots and another for his family. He even placed a small table outside, laying out vegetables like a buffet. Soon, Chunk wasn’t alone. More marmots arrived, including young ones, earning names like Nugget, Nibbles, and Chip. Permar started filming the visits and sharing the clips online. The videos, showing Chunk and the others feasting on fresh produce, quickly went viral. Millions watched as the marmots became regulars, turning a simple garden into a stage for an unlikely friendship. The story took another turn in September 2024, when Permar faced accusations of stealing a pet marmot named Bubbles from a garden in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Reports linked the animal to a famous groundhog mascot from Punxsutawney, adding a layer of controversy to his otherwise peaceful experiment.
Permar’s garden experiment has grown beyond a quirky hobby. It now stands as an example of peaceful coexistence, proving that even animals often labelled as pests can share space with humans. The videos, the named marmots, and the divided garden have turned a small patch of Delaware into a symbol of harmony—one carrot at a time.
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