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ENDANGERED MARMOTS RETURN TO BC’S FIRST PARK

- NEWS RELEASE- August 9, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ENDANGERED MARMOTS RETURN TO BC’S FIRST PARK COURTENAY -- Environment Minister Barry Penner took part in the historic reintroduction of Vancouver Island marmots to Strathcona Provincial Park today. Preparations for the release of two groups of marmots were made at Mount Washington Captive Breeding Centre. The Marmot Recovery Foundation (MRF), in partnership with the B.C. Ministry of Environment and BC Hydro, hopes to re-establish a self-sustaining colony in the historic park. Marmots were transported to a remote sub-alpine area of the park. “This is an important part of the effort to restore Vancouver Island marmots to their rightful habitat,” said Penner. “I commend everyone involved in the project and I look forward to the day when one of Canada’s most endangered mammals is back up to a sustainable population in the wild.” Strathcona Provincial Park is the largest area of protected marmot habitat on Vancouver Island and has been identified as a key area for the recovery of the species. Scientists are hopeful that survival in the park will be better there than in the southern ranges where predation continues to challenge survival of the wild population. “It remains unclear why the Vancouver Island marmot disappeared from this area decades ago,” said MRF Executive Director Viki Jackson. “The habitat remains largely untouched and there are plenty of sub-alpine bowls with suitable vegetation for the marmots to eat. Released animals will be closely monitored to help understand what may have gone wrong in the past.” The ultimate goal of the recovery program is to have 400-600 animals surviving in three populations on Vancouver Island. The captive breeding program continues to do well with a record 59 pups born in 2007 in facilities across Canada but the numbers in the wild remain a challenge with an estimated 68 animals and two litters of two pups each born in the wild in 2007. “It’s very encouraging to see Vancouver Island marmots coming back into this beautiful habitat,” said Penner. “Strathcona Park will celebrate its 100th birthday in 2011. Let’s hope the marmots can ring in that milestone for us with a healthy, robust colony or two.” The marmot recovery program is a unique partnership between the British Columbia and federal governments, landowners Island Timberlands, TimberWest and Mount Washington Alpine Resort, the Toronto and Calgary zoos, Mountain View Conservation & Breeding Centre, the Tony Barrett Mount Washington Captive Breeding Centre and more than 11,000 members of the public who have contributed to the Marmot Recovery Foundation, a charitable organization. “We are very pleased to recognize BC Hydro as a new recovery partner for this uniquely Canadian species,” said Jackson. For more information contact: Viki Jackson at 604 817 4260 or Malcolm McAdie, captive breeding specialist at 250 714-5955. Visit www.marmots.org for more information. For information about obtaining video footage or photographs, please phone 250 953-3834

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