Why Is the Vancouver Island Marmot Endangered? The Vancouver Island Marmot is endemic to Vancouver Island, and one of the most endangered mammals in the world. With three new pups born in May, two more Vancouver Island marmots were released on Mount Washington Monday as part of the annual program to increase the species in the wild. But for all their cuteness, the Vancouver Island marmot is a role model in resiliency, Taylor added. Endangered Vancouver Island Marmots Are Making a Comeback Sarah Fuller, With a Kickoff, Is the First Woman to Play Football in a Power 5 Game Ex-Trump campaign aide sues over Russia probe surveillance But he was very cautious about labelling the recovery effort as a definitive triumph of any sort. M.vancouverensis is defined as a colluvial dweller, meaning it chooses its dens in rocky slopes with loose soils and lots of sedimentation from rainwater. Over the long term (i.e., periods involving thousands of years), climate changes have caused both increases and declines of open alpine habitat that constitute suitable marmot habitat. Biological Conservation: Reintroducing Endangered Vancouver Island Marmots Sub-adult marmots typically disper… Action Required: Conservation breeding and release, translocations The Vancouver Island marmot is Canada’s most endangered mammal and one of the rarest mammals in the world. Status under SARA: Listed as Endangered as of 2008 assessment Although forest clear-cutting forest actually creates suitable habitat for the Vancouver Island Marmot, it is short-lived. Conservationists are bringing Canada’s most endangered mammal, the Vancouver Island Marmot, back from the brink of extinction. From a low of 30 wild marmots (Marmota vancouverensis) occupying just a few locations in 2003, they have increased to about 200 spread out across 20 Vancouver Island mountains, thanks to a successful captive breeding and release program. “They are really good ambassadors,” Taylor said of this cat-sized member of the squirrel family. Photo by Ryan Tidman. Instead of throwing in the … “And if we walked away today, the species would absolutely fly back into extinction very quickly.”. Through a captive breeding and release program in conjunction with the Toronto and Calgary zoos, habitat restoration and monitoring activities, the foundation and its partners have seen the Vancouver Island marmot repopulate areas where it was completely extirpated, Taylor said. The question of genetic variation and inbreeding poses the problem of greater risks of genetic depression, disease and adaptability to changing environmental conditions. There seems to be no one reason why the Vancouver Island marmot population is in trouble. The Vancouver Island Marmot is known as Canada’s panda since it is one of Canada’s wildlife conservation mascots, much like the Giant Panda is in China. The marmot can offer a portion of hope in this doomsday scenario, Taylor said. The last two years have resulted in a combined population of more than 100 pups born in the wild, he said. “But asking how the world would be different if we lost the Vancouver Island marmot is in some ways the wrong question,” he said, noting it nearly happened once before without many people being aware of the fact. One of Canada's most endangered animals is making a comeback, and it has skiers to thank for its recovery. It is a Priority 1 species under the BC Conservation Framework and classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Endangered Species. It was a good day for the future of the Vancouver Island marmot. Marmots are found across North America, Europe and Asia but the Vancouver Island marmot, the largest of the species, is endemic to this isolated sliver of British Columbia. This is about half of the population in 1984! The process does not get old over time, Taylor said. Vancouver Island Wilderness and Historical Conservation The major factor preventing these rodents from making a comeback in the wild is predation. On average, these marmots weigh 5 kg, with males being larger than females. The pups are born with completely black fur and emerge from the den for the first time in July. The world is facing massive declines in biodiversity and a growing list of species bordering extinction, he said. However, in 2003 the entire wild population dropped below 30 individuals and extinction seemed inevitable. The Vancouver Island Marmot The ICUN Red List lists the Vancouver Island Marmot as Critically Endangered, based on its 2004 assessment. Vancouver Island marmots may just be the antidote required for the dystopian times we are living in. While predation is natural, it is a threat due to the low population of marmots that has resulted from habitat loss and degradation. Size: It is the largest of the ground squirrels; weighing an average 5 kg and has a nose to tail length of 67-72cm. They provide marmots to the captive program by permit and are ultimately responsible for the species welfare. Here's Hulk from Mt Arrowsmith. The Vancouver Island marmot population is still growing slowly and is extremely vulnerable to predation from wolves and cougars that can more easily access colonies along the logging roads puncturing high alpine forests. However, saving the Vancouver Island marmot is also critical for reasons outside their own survival, Taylor stressed. “We need to be able to demonstrate that it's possible to bring these species back because that's the task that we're going to be engaged in more and more often. Population estimate: In 2007, it was estimated that only 30 remained in the wild. Latin name: Marmota vancouverensis The critically endangered species has gone from a low count of just 30 wild marmots living in a handful of locations in 2003 to approximately 200 living in colonies across 20 Vancouver Island mountains by 2019. You need an active subscription to post a comment. The Vancouver Island marmot, Canada’s most endangered mammal, is only found in the wild on Vancouver Island mountains. “And at the absolute lowest point, when we had fewer than 30 Vancouver Island marmots left in the wild, 10 of them were living at that ski resort.”. The Marmot Recovery Foundation has since counted 250-300 marmots in 2015. Vancouver Island marmots are Canada’s most endangered mammal, but they’re populations have been rebounding. Life span: It has the average age of 10 yr in the wild and 14 yr in captivity. Why they are Important on Vancouver Island As Canada’s most endangered species, the Vancouver Island Marmot is an important hub for species restoration efforts. And the ever-present danger of starvation during or following hibernation is being exacerbated by climate change as the snowpack drops and spring melts quicken, limiting the supply of vegetation the marmots rely on, he said. Although conservation breeding and reintroduction programs have given this species a fighting chance, it continues to teeter on the brink of extinction. Plus, the captive-bred marmots are subject to a halfway house approach when being released into the wild. Other marmot species tend to have more uniform colouration with darker fur on the back and upper body, and lighter underparts. They are listed as Endangered under Schedule 1 of Canada’s Species at Risk Act (SARA) and therefore receive full protection from harm on federal lands. “They are entertaining to watch. But Canadians should feel a responsibility to protect it, he said. The critically endangered species has gone from a low rely of simply 30 wild marmots residing in a handful of areas in 2003 to roughly 200 residing in colonies throughout 20 Vancouver Island mountains by 2019. It does seem counterintuitive that such a highly modified habitat would benefit the marmot, especially given the negative impacts human activity has posed in the past, Taylor agreed. But the ski hill’s operators avoid activities that might endanger the marmots, prevent tree growth on the runs, which mimic the avalanche slopes favoured by the critter, and the constant presence of humans deters predators, he said. It is listed as endangered on Schedule 1 of Canada’s Species at Risk Act (SARA). The biologist describes the marmots as a good “gateway animal” to hook people into caring generally about the conservation of species at risk. This is probably smaller than your school! The heaviest member of the squirrel family, marmots are about the size of a large house cat, have dainty ears like their chipmunk cousins and sport chocolate-brown fur with splashes of cream. Unfortunately, it is also Critically Endangered. Originally found in the Nanaimo Lakes region until it was introduced to other nearby areas. The Vancouver Island marmot is one of the most endangered mammals in Canada, with fewer than 300 individuals living in the wild. The foundation must still assist the marmots to boost their recovery, he noted. If you must be trapped inside during this current winter of discontent, alone at a desk, scrolling through hours of video — best it be watching one of the most endearing animals on the planet. In 2004, fewer than 30 remained in the wild. “Hindsight is 20/20. “I hope somebody discovers the Vancouver Island marmot and then finds this world of other endangered species that also need our help.”. “But are we done? The critically endangered species has gone from a low depend of simply 30 wild marmots dwelling in a handful of places in 2003 to roughly 200 dwelling in colonies throughout 20 Vancouver Island mountains by 2019. In the mid-1990s, the … Even with introductions into suitable habitats, only 30-35 individuals are present in the wild. The natural sub-alpine meadows that these marmots rely upon have largely been affected by human activities, and the loss of those habitats has affected the marmots much more than other wildlife. More endangered Vancouver Island marmots released in the wild. your subscription today. The vast majority of Vancouver Island Marmots live on private land owned by for-est companies. 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