When the zoo was shut down and all animals were moved away, many chipmunks got forgotten due to their underground residence.

While thousands of animals were introduced to new environments, they are not very invasive and are naturally slow spreading, 200 to 250 metres (660 to 820 ft) per year, which prevented them from rapidly moving to areas far beyond where they escaped.

[7] This mandates that the species cannot be imported, bred, transported, commercialized, or intentionally released into the environment in the whole of the European Union.

[3] The Siberian chipmunk marks its territory with urine and oral glands inside of its cheeks.

[3][9] During this winter season, these chipmunks store 3–4 kg (6.6–8.8 lb) of food in order to survive underground until April or May.

[5][10] Chipmunks with more active and curious behaviour, based on trappability of marked individuals, have a greater number of ticks.

[3] In addition to seeds, they eat herb roots, insects, molluscs, birds, reptiles, grains, fruit, and fungus.

[5] Siberian chipmunks are essential food sources for other animals, such as diurnal raptors, weasels, and small cats.

[6] They evade being preyed upon by these animals by being alert, hiding in their burrows, and using their camouflaged fur to blend in with surroundings.

[6] If the species were introduced to Britain, it is possible that Siberian chipmunks may compete with other small animals, such as the red squirrel, wood mouse, and bank vole.

[6] The species can carry Lyme disease, caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, that can be transmitted through ticks.

Because they were more diseased, it was theorised that they contributed to more infected questing nymph ticks, thus potentially exposing humans to greater risk.