HOPE UNDERGROUND: A PROMISING STEP FORWARD FOR ONE OF CANADA’S RAREST MAMMALS

August 7, 2025

7 AUGUST 2025 (Calgary, AB) – High-pitched squeaks echo through the Vancouver Island marmot facility at the Wilder Institute’s Archibald Biodiversity Centre (ABC) — subtle signals of something extraordinary: new life. These sounds may come from cozy indoor nest boxes or from deep within outdoor burrows, where marmots have chosen to give birth underground, just as they would in the wild. This year, in addition to successful breeding among some returning pairs, two newly matched marmot pairs have welcomed litters — a meaningful milestone in the recovery efforts for this endangered species. These pups mark an important step forward—adding valuable genetics to strengthen the future of our conservation breeding program. 

Digging Deep: How Thoughtful Habitat Design Fuels Natural Behaviours 

“We’ve put a lot of care into designing spaces that support natural behaviours, which is key to both well-being and successful breeding,” said Caitlin Slade, Animal Care Manager at the ABC. “It’s been especially encouraging to see new marmot pairs successfully breeding. We’re also seeing marmots choosing to dig and give birth underground — just like they would in the wild.” 

Underground burrows serve many purposes — providing protection from predators, shelter from the elements, or raising young. At the ABC, marmots are displaying these same natural behaviours, digging and nesting in a specially designed outdoor habitat built atop a 2-foot-deep mesh basin filled with soil. Of the six breeding pairs this year, four chose to give birth in underground burrows — an encouraging sign that the marmots are comfortable in their environment and able to follow their natural instincts when raising young. This is a promising indicator of both the facility’s thoughtful habitat design and the resilience of this iconic Canadian species. 

Conservation in Action: Working Together to Secure a Future for the Vancouver Island Marmot 

Vancouver Island marmot populations declined drastically in the 1990s, as habitat fragmentation and alteration likely led to increased predation in once-isolated alpine environments. By 2003, only about 30 individuals remained in the wild. Intensive conservation breeding and reintroduction efforts helped prevent the species’ extinction, but it remains listed as Endangered, with ongoing threats from landscape changes, predation, and climate change.  

The Wilder Institute has supported Vancouver Island marmot recovery since 1998 and is one of three Canadian facilities breeding marmots for release into the wild. While many marmots are released through the Marmot Recovery Foundation, others remain in the conservation breeding program to support long-term genetic diversity. Today, thanks to sustained collaborative efforts, the wild population has grown to more than 350 individuals. 

Purposeful Pairings: Supporting Genetic Diversity in Conservation Breeding 

At the ABC, 20 Vancouver Island marmots—10 males and 10 females—are currently under care. Each winter, while the marmots are in hibernation, breeding pairs are carefully selected based on genetic recommendations to support the health and long-term resilience of this endangered species. This season, six pairs successfully bred — a promising outcome that reflects both careful genetic pairing and ongoing improvements in habitat design. 

The Animal Care, Health & Welfare team works closely with the Vancouver Island marmot studbook keeper, who tracks the pedigree, age, and reproductive history of individuals across all three breeding centres: the Wilder Institute, the Marmot Recovery Foundation, and the Toronto Zoo. This ensures strategic pairings that maintain genetic diversity and support the species’ recovery. 

“When a strong genetic match is identified, we facilitate the pairing by introducing the marmots during the late stages of hibernation,” said Slade. “This allows them to wake up together, which increases the likelihood that they’ll bond and successfully breed.” 

Marmots typically emerge from hibernation in April, and breeding occurs shortly afterward. Following a gestation period of about 30 days, pups are born in indoor nest boxes or underground burrows. Once weaned, pups begin to emerge. 

The once-subtle squeaks emerging from nest boxes and tunnels now echo throughout the facility as hopeful signs of progress for this year’s conservation breeding efforts. With six litters and 17 pups confirmed, this season marks a promising step forward for the Vancouver Island marmot. Each pup represents not just new life, but renewed hope for the future of one of Canada’s most endangered mammals.