Vancouver Island Marmot
Restricted to the mountains of Vancouver Island, this endangered species is one of the rarest animals in North America.
Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks move between colonies can have a profound one basket” situation puts the Vancouver impact on the entire population. Island Marmot at considerable risk of Vancouver Island Marmots have disap- extinction. peared from about two-thirds of their his- Why are Vancouver Island torical natural range within the past several What is their status? Marmots at risk? decades and their numbers have declined by urveys of known and potential colony he Vancouver Island Marmot exists about 70 percent in the last 10 years. The sites from 1982 through 1986 resulted in nowhere in the world except Vancouver 1998 population consisted of fewer than 100 counts of up to 235 marmots. Counts Island.Low numbers and extremely local- individuals, making this one of the rarest Srepeated from 1994 through 1998 turned Tized distribution put them at risk. Human mammals in North America. Most of the up only 71 to 103 animals in exactly the same activities, bad weather, predators, disease or current population is concentrated on fewer areas. At least 12 colony extinctions have sheer bad luck could drive this unique animal than a dozen mountains in a small area of occurred since the 1980s. Only two new to extinction in the blink of an eye. about 150 square kilometres on southern colonies were identified during the 1990s. For thousands of years, Vancouver Island Vancouver Island. Estimating marmot numbers is an Marmots have been restricted to small Causes of marmot disappearances imprecise science since counts undoubtedly patches of suitable subalpine meadow from northern Vancouver Island remain underestimate true abundance. Differences habitat that are distributed like islands mysterious. Disease outbreaks, climate in weather, observer experience and count in an otherwise inhospitable “sea” of forest change and chance may have been con- effort make direct year-to-year comparisons and rocky mountain- tributing factors. Habitat destruc- difficult. Taking these factors into considera- tops. Because these Only by tion does not appear to have been a tion, researchers believe there were at least habitat patches are factor. Few sites have been subject to 300 to 350 marmots alive during the mid- small, marmot colonies greatly influences such as ski-hill develop- 1980s. Approximately 40 percent lived in are also small. Most increasing ment, and many of the historically clearcuts in a small area (40 square km) near colonies contain fewer occupied colonies are located within the headwaters of the Nanaimo River. This than five adults. Some population Strathcona Provincial Park, which is estimate does not include marmots that marmots are killed size and fully protected. Direct disturbance probably lived in Strathcona Provincial Park by predators such as by humans also appears to be irrele- at that time, as suggested by the presence of Cougars, Wolves and distribution vant since these remote areas are abandoned burrows in several locations. Golden Eagles. Others can the inaccessible to off-road vehicles and, In contrast, the 1998 population con- die during winter therefore, few people visit them. tained fewer than 100 animals, with 90 per- hibernation, possibly future of On southern Vancouver Island, cent found in the Nanaimo Lakes area and because they have been this engaging on the other hand, humans have 10 percent on Mount Washington. A few unable to build up suf- greatly modified the landscape colonies probably remain undiscovered but ficient reserves of body rodent be in which marmots live, mostly it is unlikely that large new populations fat to sustain them dur- secured. through forestry and road construc- will be found. Approximately half of the ing their long winter tion. Marmots can live and repro- world’s Vancouver Island Marmots live in sleep. Disease, parasites duce in high-elevation clearcuts, clearcuts that will eventually become and poor nutrition can also weaken or kill which resemble natural marmot habitat unsuitable as forest regeneration occurs. individuals and family groups. in many respects. In fact, populations The vast majority of Vancouver Island In response to these harsh natural limita- expanded during the early 1980s and mar- Marmots live on private land owned by for- tions, Vancouver Island Marmots have mots still inhabit some logged areas. The est companies. Two areas occupied by mar- evolved an interesting strategy. Some sub- most significant impact of logging may mots are legally protected and these contain adult marmots leave their home colonies, have been to alter dispersal patterns about five percent of the current population. usually at two or three years of age, and go in and, consequently, population structure. Growing concern over the status of search of a new place to live. These dispers- Forestry does not disrupt the marmot’s Vancouver Island Marmots led to their ing individuals are important because they natural subalpine meadow habitat, but being legally designated as Endangered allow “rescue” of colonies that are in decline, may concentrate all the members of this under the British Columbia Wildlife Act. and recolonization of sites where marmots species in a small area. This makes them They are on the provincial Red List, and have disappeared. Because dispersal is so more vulnerable to predators, disease or are also listed as Endangered by the critical, changes in the ability of marmots to the effects of local weather. This “eggs in Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (), and by white fur on the nose, chin, forehead and the middle of the day. When moving about, the International Union for the Conser- chest. Newborn pups have uniformly dark, they bound like squirrels rather than walk- vation of Nature (). almost black, coats. As summer progresses, ing like cats. They are good climbers and are their fur fades to a more rusty colour. often seen ascending or perched atop pre- What do they look like? Unlike most mammals, Vancouver Island cipitous cliffs. When alarmed, they give a armots are the largest members of the Marmots do not complete their molt every piercingly loud whistle that sounds very squirrel family and are about the size of year. For this reason, yearlings are typically much like a police whistle. a large house cat or small dog. An adult a uniform faded rufous colour. Older ani- Marmot droppings are about 4 to 6 cm MVancouver Island Marmot (Marmota mals can take on a decidedly mottled long, 1 to 1.5 cm wide and pinched at both vancouverensis) typically measures 65 to 70 appearance, with patches of old, faded fur ends. Their colour ranges from brilliant centimetres from its nose to the tip of its contrasting with new, dark fur. This is a green when fresh to “baked-potato-chip- bushy tail. Weights show tremendous season- useful characteristic for researchers because brown” when aged. Marmots seem to use al variation. An adult female that weighs pups, yearlings and adults can be readily particular spots as “latrines” and it is more 3 kilograms when she emerges from hiberna- distinguished in the field. Seen up close, common to find several scats than just one. tion in late April can weigh 4.5 to 5.5 kg by Vancouver Island Marmots have large, Burrow entrances are typically 30 to 45 the onset of hibernation in mid September. beaver-like incisors, sharp claws and very cm in diameter and generally located on Adult males can be even larger, reaching powerful shoulder and leg muscles. the downhill side of boulders or, in weights of up to 7 kg. In general, marmots Typical Vancouver Island Marmot clearcut habitats, below stumps. Burrows lose about one-third of their body mass behaviour involves spending much of the used as hibernation or birth sites will during winter hibernation. day sprawling or sitting on boulders, logs or almost always have some dirt mounded on The most striking feature of the Van- stumps. Relatively little time is spent feed- the low side of the burrow entrance. couver Island Marmot is its rich chocolate- ing. Marmots are more likely to be seen in Lounging spots are identifiable by mud brown coat with contrasting patches of early morning or late afternoon than during stains on rocks or stumps. Finding these is how most Vancouver Island Marmot made it advantageous to behave nicely to after emergence from hibernation. The gesta- colonies are detected. immigrating strangers. tion period is probably about one month and Marmots living in colonies seldom pups are thought to be born in early June. Why are they unique? travel far, but dispersing sub-adults can The abundance of females and the results of he Vancouver Island Marmot is one of five species of mammals entirely confined to Canada, and the only one of these that is Tendangered.It is one of 14 marmot species found around the world, 6 of them in North America. Its closest relatives are the Olympic Marmot of the Olympic Peninsula in Wash- ington State and the Hoary Marmot, which is Present Distribution of Vancouver Island widespread throughout the mountains of Marmot western North America. The Vancouver Island Marmot’s mainland cousins are generally griz- move considerable distances (5 to 30 km). genetic studies suggest that males occasional- zled grey or tawny brown. The Vancouver Marmots have turned up in some strange ly sire more than one litter in a given year. Island species can also be distinguished from places over the years, including a woodshed Most pairings, however, are monogamous. other marmots by skull structure, vocaliza- in Youbou, a horse stable in Nanaimo, a Although female Vancouver Island tions and behaviour. new subdivision at Bell’s Bay on the west Marmots are capable of reproducing at The Vancouver Island Marmot’s unique coast of Vancouver Island and a boat dock three years of age, most do not breed until ecological and behavioural attributes are at Lake Cowichan. they are four or five years old. The interval partly a result of evolving in small patches To avoid the long subalpine winter between litters is usually two years, with a of suitable habitat. Most colonies contain when food is not available, Vancouver small number of females producing young only a single family group, consisting of Island Marmots hibernate for six months in consecutive years. Females continue to one adult male, one or two adult females or more, usually from late September reproduce as long as they live. Some tagged and a variable number of two-year- until late April or early May. Family marmots have lived to be as old as 10 years, olds, yearlings and groups hibernate together in a deep and based on the longevity of other species young of the year. A burrow called a hibernaculum, of marmots, it is likely that the maximum few habitat patches Family groups which is re-used in successive years. age for this species is about 12 to 15 years. are large enough to hibernate These burrows can be quite elabo- Marmots inhabiting clearcuts are less suc- contain several fam- rate. One burrow on Mount cessful because survival rates are reduced ily groups. Vancou- together in McQuillan measured five metres in in these habitats. Compared to her coun- ver Island Marmots deep burrows length, with the sleeping quarters terpart in a natural subalpine meadow, are gregarious and located one metre underground. the average female living in a clearcut social interactions for six months Before winter, the entrance is produces half as many offspring over her between individuals or more plugged with rocks and soil from lifetime, simply because she is unlikely are frequent. Nose- the inside. Marmots also construct to survive as long. In general, males have touching (“greet- each year. numerous secondary burrows, lower survival rates than females, so the ing”) and boxing which are used for sleeping and sex ratio of older animals within a colony (“play fighting”) are common and enter- refuge from predators. Marmots are is usually skewed towards females. taining to watch. Adult males are the domi- frequently seen carrying dead grass into Most litters contain three or four nant animals in a colony, followed by repro- burrows, presumably for bedding. pups, although litters of five have been ductive females and then younger animals. confirmed. The sex ratio at birth appears Adult marmots mark their territories by How do they reproduce? to be equal. Newborn pups first emerge rubbing the scent glands located on their he reproductive biology of the Vancouver from their burrows in late June or early cheeks against rocks and stumps. This Island Marmot is difficult to study July. Most mortality of pups in their species appears to be more socially tolerant because most activity occurs below first year appears to occur during winter than other marmots, and aggressive territo- Tground, but appears to be similar to that hibernation, with only about half the rial behaviour is rarely seen. This is proba- of other alpine-dwelling marmots. Mating pups surviving their first year. As with bly a result of evolutionary influences that probably occurs during the first three weeks adults, probability of survival is reduced if the animal lives in a clearcut habitat. Most not known to presently occur, suggest that provide the right soil types and veg- mortality apparently involves the loss of an that this species may have been more etation. Deep soil development is critical entire litter. widespread and abundant in prehistoric because they must be able to dig bur- times. At four sites, these marmot bones rows down below the frost line. If a site What do they eat? showed signs of tool markings, providing is too high, soil development is usually ancouver Island Marmots eat a wide clear evidence that First Nations people inadequate to construct burrows. If a assortment of plants. Scat analysis has site is too low, vegetation and physiolog- identified at least 50 species in their diet, ical constraints take over. Marmots Vsome of which are of greater importance avoid forests and dense vegetation than others. In spring, grasses and grass-like because their preferred food species do plants, including oatgrass, sedges and not grow in such habitats and because woodrush, are major food items. Herbs such reduced visibility makes them more as spreading phlox and lupines are also vulnerable to predation. Furthermore, important where available. marmot physiology dictates that they In natural subalpine meadows, Vancou- must have access to places in which they ver Island Marmots generally switch from can regulate their body temperature by grasses in early spring to forbs (broad- “lounging” on rocks or stumps. During leaved herbs) in late summer. Lupines and winter it is essential that hibernacula peavine make up a high proportion of the maintain a stable temperature of about summer diet and may be selected because of 5°C. Deep snow cover probably assists their high nitrogen content. Other summer in doing this. favourites include paintbrush, meadowrue, The best habitats, such as those at cow parsnip and woolly sunflower. Mar- Haley Lake or Green Mountain, are creat- mots selectively consume particular parts ed and maintained by avalanches. These of some plants, including blueberry fruits, “” . sites have good soil for digging, are rela- the blossoms of tiger lily and Sitka valer- Andrew Bryant photo tively permanent because of snow pat- ian, and bracken fern fiddleheads. hunted marmots for food, pelts or other terns. They offer a reasonable assortment The diet of Vancouver Island Marmots uses. Carbon-dating of these bones pro- of early-spring food on exposed cliffs living in clearcuts appears to be quite dif- duced ages of 700 to 2700 years. Other (such as spreading phlox), and good visi- ferent, although scat analysis has not been sites produced bones without butcher bility for avoiding predators. done. Some of the plants mentioned above marks that were carbon-dated at up to During the 1980s, marmots colonized are unavailable and marmots are thought 11 000 years before present. Cumulatively, about a dozen clearcuts. Most sites were to concentrate their foraging efforts on these records indicate that Vancouver adjacent to existing natural colonies. In a forbs such as pearly everlasting. It is possi- Island Marmots once enjoyed ble that nutrition considerations might a much broader distribution partially explain some of the observed dif- on Vancouver Island. ferences between survival rates in natural Typical Vancouver Island and clearcut habitats. Marmot habitat consists of steeply sloped subalpine Where do they live? meadows at 800 to 1500 he Vancouver Island Marmot’s current metres elevation with a south- range is very restricted. Most colonies to west-facing aspect. Slope inhabit mountains south of Alberni aspect is important because of Inlet, near the headwaters of the snowmelt patterns. Meadows T . Nanaimo, Chemainus, Nitinat and Cow- that face north to east may Andrew Bryant photo ichan rivers. A small population is found on not be free of their deep snow cover until few locations, the number of marmots Mount Washington, near Courtenay. late summer, making food resources increased substantially, but this did not Intriguing finds of marmot bones in unavailable. lead to an expanded geographic range, eight locations on west-central Vancou- Vancouver Island Marmots are restrict- and in most cases population increases ver Island, where marmot colonies are ed to a fairly narrow range of elevations were temporary. Within about 20 years after logging, forest regeneration generally makes clearcut habitats unsuitable for marmots.
What can we do? nly by greatly increasing population size and distribution can the future of this engaging rodent be secured. In 1988, Orepresentatives of federal and provincial wildlife agencies, universities, forest com- panies and conservation organizations formed a scientific Recovery Team. The Team’s objective is simple: to save the Van- couver Island Marmot from extinction. Since 1988, the team has sponsored exten- sive population surveys and intensive mark- recapture, radio-telemetry and genetic work. As a result, the Vancouver Island Mar- . . mot is now one of the world’s most thor- Andrew Bryant photo Andrew Bryant photo oughly studied marmots. Some important habitats have been Public support is essential and encouraged. You can help, too. Throw your support protected. These include the 127-hectare More than 300 people from around the behind the marmot rescue to prevent Haley Lake Ecological Reserve that was world have already participated in the extinction, and spread the word that the donated by MacMillan-Bloedel Ltd and team’s novel “adopt-a-marmot” program. marmot is in danger. TimberWest Forest Ltd., and the 300- hectare Green Mountain Critical Wildlife ’ - : Management Area. www.islandnet.com/~marmot The current five-year Recovery Plan : emphasizes captive-breeding combined Vancouver Island Marmot Recovery Project with reintroductions to formerly occu- PO Box 2332 Station “A” pied habitats. The target is to eventually Nanaimo, British Columbia V9R 6X9 have 600 to 800 marmots distributed in Phone: (250) 753-8080 three discrete areas of Vancouver Island. Toll Free 1-877-4MARMOT (1-877-462-7668) The Recovery Team conducted its first Phone/Fax: (250)753-8080 experimental transplant in 1996 and E-mail: [email protected] began a captive-breeding program in 1997. A dedicated marmot breeding facil- Wildlife Branch ity will be constructed on Vancouver Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks Island by the year 2000, with reintroduc- PO Box 9374, Stn. Prov. Govt. tions to follow when there is an adequate Victoria, British Columbia V8W 9M4 supply of releasable marmots. www.elp.gov.bc.ca/wld Recently, the team established a regis- tered charity, the Marmot Recovery Foun- Forest Renewal British Columbia dation, to solicit funds, assist in increasing public awareness and run the day-to-day --- . . business aspects of the recovery project. . , This body has established a unique fund- ing partnership between government, industry and non-government organiza- Printed in British Columbia on recycled paper with vegetable inks tions such as the World Wildlife Fund. Q.P 4500015472