Report a Marmot

If you see a marmot on Vancouver Island, B.C., please let us know

If you see a marmot on Vancouver Island, please tell us about it. Reports from backcountry users, particularly those who spend time in the sub-alpine, greatly benefit the conservation of this unique and endangered species.

Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload You can upload up to 3 files.
Jpg or jpeg files only please
GPS Coordinates and/or a description of the location where you saw the marmot(s) is very helpful!
Any physical description notes are very helpful. Color, size, and body shape for example.
What was the marmot doing? Did it move? Was it alert to your presence?
A simple description of weather conditions when you saw the marmot is very helpful.

How to Spot a Marmot

Finding marmots can be challenging at first, as these house-cat sized animals blend into their surroundings with remarkable ease. However, a few tips will help:

  • Listen for the warning whistles marmots make when a predator approaches. You can listen here
  • Marmots generally live in sub-alpine meadows and talus fields. Look in boulder fields and avalanche chutes in particular.
  • Look on the tops of large rocks, fallen logs, and outcrops on cliffs. Marmots like to have a good view of their surroundings.

Identifying a marmot

There a number of other animals that can be mistaken for marmots, especially large squirrels and marten. Observe the animal’s behavior and movement. Try to judge its size by comparing it to animals you are familiar with. Make note of its body shape. Below is a silhouette chart to help place the marmot with some of its more frequently mistaken suspects and common animals.

Reviewing video of Vancouver Island marmots can help you develop an understanding of how they move and use the landscape. Here is a great look at an unconcerned marmot resting and feeding

But marmots are not always so languid. Here are a pair of more active pups wrestling with each other and running around.

For comparison, look at the “slinky” like body of this marten – it is very different from the build of a marmot!

Marmots surprise us, so keep your eyes open at all times! We often tell the story of Alan, a marmot who was discovered on the beach (literally) at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre.

How to Report

Take photos! Even poor photos can provide us with a great deal of information. In addition, please provide as much of the information below as you can, and leave blank any questions you cannot answer.

You can also email info@marmots.org or call us at 250-390-0006. Please email any photos you to took. Even “bad” photos are extremely helpful to us! This guide was funded in part by the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation and the Forest Enhancement Society of B.C.