CHIMNEY ROCK VILLAGE, N.C. (WSPA) — While visitors arrived at Chimney Rock Village hoping for a sign of spring, Tater and Yammy had something else to bring.
On February 2, locals and visitors gathered together, to watch the rodent duo’s debut, forecasting the weather.
“It’s just a great little event, I mean obviously it’s a slow time of year for the park, but it’s a great event the park does, they have groundhogs here on staff I guess you could say, so it’s just kind of natural to have them come out here and predict the weather,” said Peter O’Leary, mayor of Chimney Rock Village.
Both groundhogs were rescued and put in a rehab center to heal. After they bonded so much, they had to become a package deal.
“They were at Appalachian Wild in Asheville and they bonded while they were in rehab and when they were looking for a home, we wanted them to come together,” said Emily Walker, general manager at Chimney Rock State Park. “So not only are we giving them a home, but we are also helping create connections with visitors and the wildlife here in the park.”