Yesterday, Marmot Technician Erin was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Gracelyn at her home in Bell Creek Meadow.
Gracelyn was born at the Tony Barrett Mount Washington Marmot Centre and released to the wild in 2023.
Photo by Erin Barlett
Last year, he and Esmeralda had a litter of pups. But this year Esmeralda has moved to another a part of the hill, leaving the now year-old marmots in the care of Dad. Meanwhile, Dorothy has moved in with Talamore’s family, and we suspect the pair have another litter of pups nursing in the burrow!
Marmot Recovery Foundation
Marmot Recovery Foundation
It may be headed into the Beaufort Range, which historically had marmot colonies, but currently does not. Our guess is this marmot is trying to disperse from Mt Arrowsmith, about 15km away.
If you see a marmot in the Alberni area, please let us know: marmots.org/observer-pro...
I can't believe we're doing this again, but Port Alberni folks, have you seen this marmot? It was reported by a hiker near the Log Train Trail. We were able to locate it again yesterday, but today it has disappeared.
Talamore is the epitome of a Vancouver Island marmot dad. Left on his own with four pups last summer, he successfully got all them through hibernation, healthy in the spring, and we suspect is raising another litter now. Happy Father’s Day!
