A marmot named Chloro pictured near Haley Lake, south of Nanaimo Lakes in July 2023 (Adam Taylor/Marmot Recovery Foundation)

By Ian Holmes

Multiplying marmots

‘That’s the most that’s ever been recorded:’ Van Isle marmot recovery success story continues

Jun 30, 2025 | 5:33 AM

NANAIMO — Efforts by a Nanaimo-based organization formed to save and strengthen Vancouver Island marmot populations are reaching new heights.

Marmot Recovery Foundation (MRF) executive director Adam Taylor said their organization is focused on building on the success of a record 382 marmots counted in the wild late last year.

“That’s the most that’s ever been recorded for this species and just a tremendous outcome. The goal right now is to just keep that momentum going and keep the recovery of this species on track.”

Ground-dwelling rodents, the focal point of extended recovery efforts since 2003 when only 22 were counted in the wild, reside in sub-alpine terrain in the Nanaimo Lakes/Mount Arrowsmith areas, as well as Mount Washington/Strathcona Park.

Following the relocation last week of several marmots from Mount Washington to more challenging terrain northward at Strathcona Provincial Park, Taylor said marmots are being added to ridgelines near Nanaimo.

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“We’ve got another 30 marmots that we’re releasing into the Nanaimo Lakes area…That’s going to keep us busy right through the end of July. Then we’ve got to start following up with all of them and find out how they’re doing in the wild.”

Vancouver Island marmots, fueled by Calgary and Toronto zoo breeding programs, are strategically placed and relocated by MRF staff.

An endangered herbivore, an estimated 85 per cent of the Island’s marmot population survived the winter, which Taylor called a favourable outcome.

He said there were a few unsuccessful colonies this past winter.

“Hibernation is an incredibly difficult process for marmots. Seven months of the year, so longer than they’re awake, they’re underground, not eating, just living off their stored body fats. It takes a big toll on their bodies.”

Taylor credited the public’s generosity for supporting the Vancouver Island marmot’s growth.

“Eighty plus per cent of our funding comes from donation and this species literally would not be here without that support,” Taylor said.

Donations to the non-profit Marmot Recovery Foundation can made on the organization’s website linked here.

An ongoing VIU research project with the use of a unique weigh scale system aims to advance a potential link between the weight of marmots and their ability to reproduce.

– with files from Jon De Roo, 97.3 FM The Eagle

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