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BC Conservation Data Centre: Conservation Status Report

Marmota vancouverensis
Vancouver Island Marmot


 
Scientific Name: Marmota vancouverensis
English Name: Vancouver Island Marmot
   
Provincial Status Summary
Status: S1
Date Status Assigned: June 30, 1998
Date Last Reviewed: April 05, 2024
Reasons: The endemic Vancouver Island Marmot occurs only in the mountains of Vancouver Island, BC. As of 2022, there are approximately 182-225 individuals in the wild within 27 colonies. Major threats include predation by native species, ecosystem modification from post-logging forest succession and habitat loss associated with climate change.
 
Range
Range Extent: E = 5,000-20,000 square km
Range Extent Estimate (km2): 6,391
Range Extent Comments: The Vancouver Island Marmot is endemic to the mountains of Vancouver Island. The range extent has been calculated as 6,391 square kilometers, based on mapped element occurrences current to 2021 (B.C. Conservation Data Centre ND; accessed March 8, 2023).
Area of Occupancy (km2): EF = 26-500
Area of Occupancy Estimate (km2): 508
Area of Occupancy Comments: As of 2022 there were approximately 27 colonies spread between two metapopulations and one isolated colony (Gourlay et al 2022). The area of occupancy is approximately 508 square kilometers (127 2x2 km grid cells) (B.C. Conservation Data Centre ND; accessed March 8, 2023).
 
Occurrences & Population
Number of Occurrences: C = 21 - 80
Comments: Element occurrences were updated in 2021, using data provided to the CDC by the Marmot Recovery Foundation (2021). There are currently 16 element occurrences mapped with the CDC.
Number of Occurrences with Good Viability / Ecological Integrity: Rank Factor not assessed
Number of Occurrences Appropriately Protected & Managed: Rank Factor not assessed
Population Size: B = 50 - 250 individuals
Comments: Gourlay et al. (2022) reported a range of 182 - 225 individuals from surveys completed in the 2022 field season. This is a marked increase since the previous 2005 status assessment where a total of six element occurrences were known, with 34 wild marmots. The total wild population in 2004 was <50 animals based on direct census data from 2004.
 
Threats (to population, occurrences, or area affected)
Degree of Threat: BC = High - medium
Comments: The overall province-wide Threat Impact for Vancouver Island Marmots is High-medium. Primary threats include native predators, ecosystem modification from post-logging forest succession and predicted habitat loss associated with climate change (Vancouver Island Marmot Recovery Team 2017).
 
Trend (in population, range, area occupied, and/or condition of occurrences)
Short-Term Trend: I = Increase of >25%
Comments: Whilst the short-term (i.e., three generations) population trend is positive, this increase is almost entirely attributable to captive breeding and predator management efforts, with concomitant successional advance of clear-cut habitats (i.e., sink habitats) adjacent to natural colonies (thus rendering them less suitable for use by Vancouver Island Marmot). The captive breeding program has released over 587 captive bred marmots since 2003. There are currently 137 marmots in captivity, with 33 or more breeding pairs anticipated for 2023 (Gourlay et al 2022). Survey results from 2022 reported approximately 204 marmots in the wild, distributed across 27 colonies within two metapopulations (Strathcona and Nanaimo lakes). Schoen and Clayoquot remain unrecognized as metapopulations.

2005 status assessment ("D" decline of 50-70%):
The generation time is 5.7 years; therefore 3 generations is approx. 17 years (A. Bryant, pers. comm.). The population has declined from 105 animals in 1988 to 34 animals in 2004, a rate of decline of 67.6% over 17 years. Reasons for this decline are not clear but forest harvesting in forests adjacent to colonies may have created 'sinks' that reduced long distance dispersal among natural colonies (Bryant 1996; Bryant and Janz 1996; Bryant 1998). Vancouver Island Marmots first occupied recent clearcut habitats near historical subalpine colonies in 1981 (Bryant 1998). In 2000 (Janz et al. 2000) about 50% of the total population occurred in cleacuts. However, with succession these clearcut habitats become unsuitable for marmots. None of 34 Vancouver Island Marmots censused in 2004 were living in clearcut habitats.
Long-Term Trend: U = Unknown
Comments: The origin of the Vancouver Island Marmot it is still subject to debate - the species may have been a Pleistocene relict that survived the last ice age in glacial refugia, or it may have colonized Vancouver Island after the retreat of the Cordilleran Wisconsin glaciation event (circa 10,000 ? 13,000 years ago) (Bryant 1996; Nagorsen 1987). Actual population counts began in 1972, and comprehensive surveys that covered all known colonies only began in 1979 (Bryant and Janz 1996). Population levels and the number of colonies before 1972 are unknown. Anecdotal data suggest that this species was more widespread in historical time but there are insufficient data to determine population numbers or trends before 1972. Prehistoric remains also suggest a larger range and possibly higher population numbers. Archaeological remains of 74 marmots dating from ~1,000 years ago for example were recovered in a single cave in Strathcona Provincial Park (Nagorsen and Keddie 1996). Reasons for the long term range collapse are unknown but environmental changes could be a factor.
 
Other Factors
Intrinsic Vulnerability: B=Moderately vulnerable
Comments: In the wild, this species has a low reproductive rate. Age of females at first reproduction is 3-5 years and females rarely breed in subsequent years.
Environmental Specificity: A=Very narrow. Specialist or community with key requirements scarce.
Comments: A habitat specialist restricted to subalpine areas, suitable habitat for this species is scarce and highly fragmented on Vancouver Island.
Other Rank Considerations:
 
Information Gaps
Research Needs:
Inventory Needs:
 
Stewardship
Protection:
Management: If reintroduction and translocation efforts were to stop, or be abated, it is likely that the rapid declining trend witnessed between 1984 until 2006 would return as predator densities, and predator foraging strategies, have been altered since pre-colonial times. To counter Allee effects large colony sizes are desirable, but as colonies expand in size increased predator attention results in catastrophic collapse. Continued (human) intervention is likely required to promote increasing Lambda, on both the short and long term, and will likely be required into the distant future to achieve the recovery goal for the species (From COSEWIC (2008p): ?the metapopulation in each of the two areas (and therefore the species overall) has a > 90% probability of persistence over 100 years.?).
 
Version
Author: Hobbs, J. (2023) and Nagorsen, D. (2005)
Date: April 09, 2023
 
References
Aaltonen, K., A. A. Bryant, J. A. Hostetler, and M. K. Oli. 2009. Reintroducing endangered Vancouver Island marmots: Survival and cause-specific mortality rates of captive-born versus wild-born individuals. Biological Conservation 142:2181?2190.
B.C. Conservation Data Centre. BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer. B.C. Ministry of Environment Victoria, BC. Available: http://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/.
Brashares, J. S., J. R. Werner, and A. R. E. Sinclair. 2010. Social ?meltdown? in the demise of an island endemic: Allee effects and the Vancouver Island marmot. Journal of Animal Ecology 79:965?973.
Bryant, A. 2003. The Vancouver Island Marmot pages, home of the Vancouver Island Marmot recovery project. Online. Available: http://www.marmots.org/
Bryant, A. 2004. Summary of Vancouver Island marmot count data from 1972. Vancouver Island Marmot Foundation, Nanaimo, B.C. Unpubl. data. Updated to 2006.
Bryant, A.A. 1990. Genetic variability and minimum viable populations in the Vancouver Island marmot. Minist. Environ. Design Thesis, Univ. Calgary, AB.
Bryant, A.A. 1994. Notes on the Vancouver Island Marmot (Marmota vancouverensis). Unpubl. rep. Vancouver Island Marmot Recovery Team, Nanaimo, BC. 25pp.
Bryant, A.A. 1996. Reproduction and persistence of Vancouver Island marmots (Marmota vancouverensis) in natural and logged habitats. Can. J. Zool. 74:678-687.
Bryant, A.A. 1997. Updated status report for the Vancouver Island Marmot (Marmota vancouverensis) in Canada. Rep. submitted to Comm. on the Status of Endangered Wildl. in Canada (COSEWIC), Ottawa, ON. 21pp.
Bryant, A.A. 1998. Metapopulation ecology of Vancouver Island Marmots (Marmota vancouverensis). PhD. Thesis, Univ. Victoria, Victoria. 125pp.
Bryant, A.A. and R. E. Page. 2005. Timing and causes of mortality in the endangered Vancouver Island marmot (Marmota vancouverensis). Can. J. Zool. 82:674-682.
Bryant, A.A., and D. Janz. 1996. Distribution and abundance of Vancouver Island marmots (Marmota vancouverensis). Can. J. Zool. 74:667-677.
COSEWIC. 2000. COSEWIC Assessment and Update Status Report on the Vancouver Island Marmot Marmota vancouverensis in Canada. Comm. on the Status of Endangered Wildl. in Can. Ottawa. vi+25pp.
COSEWIC. 2019j. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Vancouver Island Marmot Marmota vancouverensis in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa.xii + 53 pp
Delaronde, M. 1997. Vancouver Island marmot inventory summary, 1997. Rep. submitted to B.C. Minist. Environ., Lands and Parks, Nanaimo. 8pp.
Gourlay, K, McAdie M. and Taylor A. (MMRF). 2022. Annual Report. Produced for: Province of British Columbia Ministry of Forests (MOF), Mosaic Forest Management, Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, the Forest Enhancement Society of BC, Peter Townsend Trust, Environment and Climate Canada, and the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program. 68p.
Heard, D.C. 1977. The behavior of Vancouver Island marmots, Marmota vancouverensis. M.Sc. Thesis, Univ. B.C., Vancouver. 129pp.
Janz, D.W. et al. 2000. National Recovery Plan for the Vancouver Island Marmot (Marmota vancouverensis) (2000 update). Recovery of Natl. Endangered Wildl. Comm. Rep. No. 19. Ottawa. 38pp.
Janz, D.W., et al. 1998. Revised Recovery Plan for the Vancouver Island Marmot (1998). Submitted to RENEW (Recovery of Endangered Wildlife).
Marmot Recovery Foundation. 2021. EXCEL spreadsheet of Vancouver Island Marmot annual colony count data 2007-2020. Marmot Recovery Foundation. Nanaimo, BC.
Milko, R.J. 1984. Vegetation and foraging ecology of the Vancouver Island marmot (Marmota vancouverensis). M.Sc. Thesis, Univ. Victoria, Victoria, BC.
Nagorsen, D. 1990. The mammals of British Columbia: a taxonomic catalogue. Mem. No. 4. Royal B.C. Mus., Victoria. 140pp.
Nagorsen, D. 2016. Small Mammal Management and Conservation in British Columbia: Assessment of Knowledge Gaps and Research Needs. Wildlife Bulletin No. B-127, March 2016. Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. Victoria, B.C.
Nagorsen, D.W., G. Keddie, and T. Luszcz. 1996. Vancouver Island marmot bones from subalpine caves: archaeological and biological significance. B.C. Minist. Environ., Lands and Parks, Victoria, B.C. Parks Occas. Pap. No. 4. 56pp.
Page, R. 2004. Protecting Vancouver Island Marmots after release. Actions for predator management. Draft rep., Prepared for the Vancouver Island Marmot Recovery Team. 9pp.
Vancouver Island Marmot Recovery Team. 2017. Recovery plan for the Vancouver Island Marmot (Marmota vancouverensis) in British Columbia. Prepared for the B.C. Ministry of Environment, Victoria, BC. 41 pp.
 

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Suggested Citation:

B.C. Conservation Data Centre. 2023. Conservation Status Report: Marmota vancouverensis. B.C. Minist. of Environment. Available: https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/ (accessed Jul 11, 2025).