Field crew in the Nanaimo Lakes region documented this year’s first pup litter on June 23, 2015. This was an early detection for pups, which are rarely seen above ground before the first week of July. We suspect this is a consequence of a very early, mild spring. So far, field crew have counted 14 pups in the wild, but they will continue to count pups through July and August. We hope that they will see many more!
You can recognize Vancouver Island marmot pups by their small size, dark, fluffy fur, and by their feet, which look far too big for their bodies. Pups are usually seen in litters of three or four, and (like most baby animals!) seem to have a hard time sitting still for more than a minute or two.
(Photo by Hobbs Photo Images Co.)