The Vancouver Island Marmot is, to marmot biologists at least, the most beautiful of the world's fourteen marmot species. It is also the most rare. In fact, it may be the rarest mammal in the world, with a total population of fewer than 100 animals.
Declared an endangered species in 1980, it has been the subject of an ongoing study, and a recent attempt to reintroduce it to some of its historical range. A sudden decrease in the population, however, has prompted the start of a captive breeding program, in an effort to bolster the failing natural population.
The Vancouver Island Marmot is a rodent, which grows to about four to seven kilograms. It is found only in the restricted alpine areas of Vancouver Island. It lives in very small colonies, in elaborate burrows underground. It hibernates for about seven months each year. Females produce about three pups every second year, which emerge in July.
Recent findings have included the bones of Vancouver Island Marmots in several Vancouver Island caves. Some were clearly killed by early hunters, but others predate human occupation of the area. The present status of the marmot is but one page in its fascinating history. Let's hope it is not the last page.
Declared an endangered species in 1980, it has been the subject of an ongoing study, and a recent attempt to reintroduce it to some of its historical range. A sudden decrease in the population, however, has prompted the start of a captive breeding program, in an effort to bolster the failing natural population.
The Vancouver Island Marmot is a rodent, which grows to about four to seven kilograms. It is found only in the restricted alpine areas of Vancouver Island. It lives in very small colonies, in elaborate burrows underground. It hibernates for about seven months each year. Females produce about three pups every second year, which emerge in July.
Recent findings have included the bones of Vancouver Island Marmots in several Vancouver Island caves. Some were clearly killed by early hunters, but others predate human occupation of the area. The present status of the marmot is but one page in its fascinating history. Let's hope it is not the last page.
