Anakin, a Vancouver Island marmot, is seen on Mount Washington on May 2017. Credit: Megan Wilkins
Five Vancouver Island marmots that were bred in captivity are set to be released next month on Mount Washington.
On July 5, the Vancouver Island marmot, which is one of only six mammals to live exclusively in Canada, will be released to go live in a colony near the Mount Washington Alpine Resort on Vancouver Island. Another nine Vancouver Island marmots are being released this year into other colonies. The animals are a year old and were raised in the Calgary Zoo and the Toronto Zoo.
There are believed to be about 200 of the endangered species living in the wild on Vancouver Island. Numbers are up though. Fifteen years ago there were fewer than 30 marmots on Vancouver Island.
READ MORE: Encouraging signs as Vancouver Island marmots emerge from hibernation
The Vancouver Island Marmot Recovery Foundation (MRF) reports that over-winter survival rates have been high, especially among breeding
The groups reports that over-winter survival rates have been high, especially among breeding age females.
“Our goal is to see Vancouver Island marmots thriving in the wild,” Cheyney Jackson, MRF biologist said in a statement.
“This spring is exactly what we hope for, and our fingers are crossed that the good conditions lead to a bumper crop of marmot pups.”
READ MORE: Vancouver Island marmots weather long winter
The Calgary Zoo and the Toronto Zoo are continuing their captive breeding program. This year marks the release of the 500th marmot from the program, which started in 2003.
Hanna Solo on Mount Washington
Alexa Huffman
