ISLAND MARMOT RECOVERY EFFORT GETS $233,000 BOOST

VICTORIA – The future of the endangered Vancouver Island marmot is looking brighter with the announcement by Environment Minister Barry Penner today of funding totalling $233,000 from the B.C. government.

A $100,000 grant from the Ministry of Environment will provide the Marmot Recovery Foundation with support against operating shortfalls to provide security and increase operating flexibility. An additional $133,000 grant will help with population restoration and recovery through the implementation of the national Vancouver Island Marmot Recovery Plan.

The Marmot Recovery Foundation is a unique partnership among government, industry and the public sharing the costs of recovering the species. The Vancouver Island marmot, about the size of a large house cat, is considered a distinct species. The ultimate goal of the recovery program is to have 400-600 animals surviving in three main populations of smaller colonies on the island.

“It’s taken a great deal of effort but we are seeing signs of a comeback for the Vancouver Island marmot population,” Penner said. “This good news has been made possible with the help of dedicated groups such as the Marmot Recovery Foundation, the public, ministry staff and some public-minded corporations.”

Penner took part in the release of two groups of marmots into historic marmot habitat in sub-alpine areas of Strathcona Park last August. Between 55 and 60 captive-bred marmots are scheduled for release this summer.

A breeding program saw 60 pups born in captivity in 2007 at breeding centres across Canada but numbers in the wild remain a challenge. Only three litters were born in the wild in 2007. While it’s still too early to know, at least six litters are anticipated to be born in the wild this year and 50-60 are expected to be born in captivity. From a combined low of approximately 80 animals in 1998, there are now approximately 256 animals, 162 in captivity and 94 in the wild.

Predation is the largest cause of failure in the wild, and several non-lethal approaches are being tried to protect the marmots from predators with mixed results. Shepherding, collaring, relocation, fencing and playing recorded sounds are among the methods used to ward off the cougars, wolves and golden eagles that prey on the mammals.

“Stabilizing the population of the Vancouver Island marmot has been a real challenge,” said Victoria Jackson, executive director of the Marmot Recovery Foundation. “Making headway requires higher volume releases, which puts additional pressures on our resources. With funding from the Ministry of Environment and the help of the various stakeholders and the public, things are starting to look a little brighter for the future of this uniquely Canadian mammal.”

Captive breeding takes place at the Toronto and Calgary zoos, Mountain View Conservation and Breeding Centre in Langley, and the Tony Barrett Mt. Washington Marmot Recovery Centre near Courtenay. The recovery program, including captive breeding and reintroduction, costs approximately $1 million per year.

For more information on the Marmot Recovery Foundation, visit www.marmots.org.

To download marmot photos, visit www.env.gov.bc.ca/pac/photos/bpenner/2007/marmots/.

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Media contact:	Kate Thompson Media Relations 250 953-4577	Victoria Jackson Marmot Recovery Foundation 778 338-3171

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