Chloro, one of about 300 Vancouver Island marmots poses for the camera near Haley Lake, south of Nanaimo Lakes in July, 2023 (Adam Taylor)

By Ian Holmes

major marmot gains

Nanaimo area resurgence aiding comeback of Vancouver Island marmots

Feb 22, 2024 | 5:32 AM

NANAIMO — On the cusp of being wiped out forever, Vancouver Island marmot populations are slowly, yet steadily gaining traction.

Efforts by Nanaimo-based Marmot Recovery Foundation focusses on increasing population numbers by fostering a more desirable climate for the beloved herbivores.

Foundation executive director Adam Taylor told NanaimoNewsNOW only 22 marmots were counted in 2003 on Vancouver Island split between Mount Washington and the Nanaimo Lakes area.

However, the most recent available data from last fall tells a more favourable story.

“We had 303 marmots total living in the wild, still an incredibly endangered species, but incredibly heartening to see the gains that have been made over the last 21 years,” Taylor said.

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Of those 300 or so marmots living on Vancouver Island, about half are located in the Nanaimo Lakes/Mt. Arrowsmith area, Taylor said.

Optimum marmot habitat consists of sub-alpine terrain below mountain peaks in open meadows where marmots can munch on various plants, flowers and grasses.

The animals dig burrows up to four meters deep for extended winter hibernations, typically lasting from mid-October to mid or late April, said Taylor.

“They’re actually asleep more than they’re awake.”

From there, he said, marmots are in for a busy five months of breeding and fattening up over the late spring, summer and early fall.

Bluebell scoping around Mount Washington in July, 2023. (Adam Taylor)

The ridgeline between Green Mountain west of Nanaimo to Mount Arrowsmith represents a key regional hot spot for marmots, Taylor noted.

He said a captive breeding program in partnership with the Toronto and Calgary zoos has been instrumental in bolstering Vancouver Island marmot populations.

Targeted annual releases of marmots in July to colonies where they have a higher chance of flourishing is a central piece of the Marmot Recovery Foundation’s efforts.

“The marmots integrate best into their colonies, they’re less likely to stray, but they still have an opportunity to get to know the other colony members that are there and hopefully by fall they’re hibernating with other wild living marmots.”

Public participation is paramount

Reports of public sightings of Vancouver Island marmots made to Taylor and his colleagues can be crucial in sustaining the population.

He pointed to an example last summer where a marmot named Camas was spotted in Errington, nowhere near its natural habitat.

Taylor said the vulnerable animal had strayed from a small colony on Green Mountain, likely in search of securing a mate.

Taylor said he was floored to see a picture taken by a farmer of Camas, all alone and likely confused.

“There was Camas, sitting in his backyard. This farmer saw this marmot and took the time to say ‘this doesn’t seem right,’ and contacted us.”

The sighting allowed the foundation to relocate Camas to an established network of marmot colonies in Strathcona Provincial Park.

“He’s hibernating now, so that’s a good sign,” Taylor said.

Stating three-quarters of their budget comes in the form of monetary donations, Taylor said the ongoing generosity of the public has been a game-changer.

“You have literally helped save a species from extinction and that’s an incredible legacy.”

More information on the Marmot Recovery Foundation can be found here.

Chloro being released to an established colony in the Haley Lake area in July 2023. (Adam Taylor)

A marmot spotted peaking its head out at Mount Arrowsmith. (Shayn McAskin)

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

ian.holmes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes