Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed marmots are digging their first burrows on Vancouver IslandB次元官网网址檚 Mount Washington.

A group of yearlings were released into the wild on the popular ski hill Wednesday. The four Vancouver Island marmots were set free on Comox Valley hillB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址淚nvitationB次元官网网址� ski run, after being bred through the Marmot Recovery FoundationB次元官网网址檚 ongoing efforts to replenish the endangered species.

The foundation releases Vancouver Island marmots every year at Mount Washington. ThatB次元官网网址檚 because the rare rodent thrives in empty meadows B次元官网网址� which ski runs transform into in the summer time B次元官网网址� and high elevations.

Executive director of the foundation Adam Taylor said the group is forming a B次元官网网址渨ild marmot factoryB次元官网网址� at Mount Washington. The program traps wild marmots, as well as breeds them in captivity and releases them back into the wilderness.

The species B次元官网网址� endemic to Vancouver Island and one of the rarest mammals in the world B次元官网网址� has been near extinction for more than 20 years. When the population was lowest, in 2003, nearly a dozen of the estimated total 30 alive were counted at Mount Washington. As of 2021 the population had rebounded to more than 250 on about 20 Vancouver Island mountains.

Taylor said thatB次元官网网址檚 reason to believe the animals thrive in the area. The environment also needs them, according to Taylor, because the rodent turns-over soil.

B次元官网网址淭hey are constantly digging up new spots,B次元官网网址� Taylor said. B次元官网网址淭here isnB次元官网网址檛 really any other mammal on Vancouver Island that plays that role.B次元官网网址�

Whether its digging escape tunnels, or burrowing three meters underground to hibernate, the Island rodent releases new nutrients.

Taylor said there is also another benefit to this branch of conservation work.

B次元官网网址淭hese marmots are disgustingly cute.B次元官网网址�

The director often works with pups. For best chance of survival, the pups are bred in captivity and raised for one year. One reason for this is that existing wild colonies are most likely to accept young marmots.

The Marmot Recovery Foundation has been breeding and releasing Vancouver Island marmots for 20 years. Funding comes from donations, as well as from the Province of B.C. and Mosaic Forest Management.

B次元官网网址淭o be blunt, without those, this species would be extinct.B次元官网网址�

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connor.mcdowell@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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