Vancouver Island Marmot captive breeding and reintroduction program at Mountain View
M. Sans, VI Marmot Keeper Mountain View Conservation and Breeding Centre British Columbia , Canada
The Vancouver Island Marmot is a unique marmot species native to sub-alpine meadows only on Vancouver Island . A combination of factors, including a restricted natural habitat and high levels of predation led to the decline of this colonial species through the 1980-90’s. In 1998 there were less than 70 individuals remaining in isolated colonies. The Recovery Team recommended an urgent need for captive breeding and reintroduction to restore this population headed for extinction. In 2000, Mountain View Conservation and Breeding Centre joined the Toronto and Calgary Zoos in a captive-breeding program of the Vancouver Island Marmot. The first litters at Mountain View were born in 2002 and since then we have had pups born each year. At Mountain View , the marmot breeding facility has uniquely designed outdoor enclosures that promote the natural behaviours of the marmots. Rocks, stumps and natural grasses encourage basking, vigilant lookout for predators and foraging. Each pen has three feet of soil that permits the marmots to dig their own burrow system. Nest boxes are provided indoors and outdoors to allow a choice of natal sites to breeding females. Despite this, several females have shown a preference for their underground burrows as natal den sites. In captivity the average litter size has been 3-4 pups, which are weaned at just over 30 days old. The captive marmots are permitted and encouraged to hibernate as their wild counterparts do. Food consumption is monitored throughout the active season and feed is continuously increased as needed to encourage weight gain. Towards the end of August the marmots’ consumption peaks, after which they start to prepare for hibernation by gathering hay and grass to insulate the hibernacula. Activity is closely monitored so that the marmots can be locked into the indoor pens before hibernation. This allows the keepers to monitor condition and weight loss throughout hibernation with monthly checks. Reintroductions began in 2003 with 4 marmots released. From the successes of the captive breeding program it has been possible to increase the number released to current and historical sites each season. By the end of the 2008 season, 59 marmots were released, bringing the wild count to 140-160 marmots. The target of the Recovery Team is a self-sustaining population of 400-600 marmots distributed in colonies along the core of Vancouver Island . The continued success of this program is encouraging for the future wild population.
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