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Surveys in the 1980s produced encouraging results. Annual counts increased from 139 in 1981 to a high of 235 animals in 1984.

This apparently reflects a real population increase, although effort and coverage also increased. Given what we now know about the accuracy of population surveys, there were probably 300-350 marmots alive in 1984.

The big surprise was the colonization of clearcuts, which began in 1981. By 1984 at least 54 of the 235 animals seen alive (23%) were living in clearcuts.