 provided marmots with new open areas which constitute habitat. Unfortunately, rapid forest regeneration makes such man-made habitats unsuitable over a few years. One study concluded that clearcuts therefore act as a kind of population "sink" in which long-term reproduction and survival rates are reduced to the point of unsustainability One 2005 study concluded the main cause of recent decline to be predation "associated with forestry and altered predator abundance and hunting patterns". Major predators upon Vancouver Island marmots include golden eagles, cougars and wolves.

The population crash may also be due to the Allee effect, named after zoologist Warder Clyde Allee. Allee proposed that social animals require a critical mass in order to survive, because survival requires group activities such as warning of predators and migration. A decline below that threshold precipates rapid decline. Ecologist Justin Brashares suggests that at least some of the marmot's group behavior is learned, so that the loss of marmot "culture" has caused them to become more solitary, and interact aggressively rather than cooperatively when they do encounter each other.

The endangered Vancouver Island marmot remains one of the world's rarest mammals. In 1997 there were so few numbers of marmots on Vancouver Island that managers took the bold step of capturing some to create a "genetic lifeboat" and therefore create the possibility of restoring wild populations. The first marmots went to Toronto Zoo in 1997, but this initial effort was quickly followed by efforts made by the Calgary Zoo and Mountainview Conservation and Breeding Centre in Langley, BC. The Marmot Recovery Foundation also built a dedicated marmot facility on Mt. Washington, Vancouver Island to further facilitate captive breeding and pre release conditioning.  The fundamental idea was to produce marmots in a fashion that would facilitate their eventual return to the wild.

In 1998 a new model for species recovery was born involving the government, private industry and public donors. A census in late 2003 resulted in a count of only 21 wild marmots known to be present on Vancouver Island. After these findings, marmots were released from captivity in different places to try to get the population back up to a reasonable number.

These marmots are still classified as endangered. The cumulative captive breeding program has steadily grown, with 130 individuals in captivity (2010) and 442 weaned pups born in captivity since 2000. A number of individuals have been released to Strath
provided marmots with new open area which establish habitat. Unfortunately, rapid forest regeneration makes such man - make habitats unsuitable over a few year. One sketch concluded that clearcuts consequently work as a kind of population " sink " in which farseeing - term reproduction and survival rate are reduce to the point of unsustainability One 2005 discipline concluded the main campaign of recent decline to be predation " consociate with forestry and altered predator abundance and hunting form ". Major predators upon Vancouver Island marmots include golden eagles, cougar and wolves. 

 The population crash may also be due to the Allee effect, named after zoologist Warder Clyde Allee. Allee nominate that social animal require a critical mass in order to survive, because survival requires group activities such as warning of marauder and migration. A decay below that threshold precipates rapid decline. Ecologist Justin Brashares suggest that at least some of the marmot's group demeanor is learned, so that the loss of marmot " culture " has caused them to become more solitary, and interact aggressively rather than cooperatively when they do encounter each early. 

 The endangered Vancouver Island marmot remains one of the world's rarest mammals. In 1997 there were so few numbers of marmots on Vancouver Island that managers took the bold dance step of capturing some to make a " genetic lifeboat " and therefore create the possibility of restoring crazy populations. The first marmots rifle to Toronto Zoo in 1997, but this initial effort was quickly followed by efforts take by the Calgary Zoo and Mountainview Conservation and Breeding Centre in Langley, BC. The Marmot Recovery Foundation also build a consecrated marmot facility on Mt. Washington, Vancouver Island to further facilitate captive breeding and pre acquittance conditioning.   The fundamental theme was to produce marmots in a manner that would facilitate their eventual return to the wild. 

 In 1998 a new model for species recovery was born involving the government, private industry and public donors. A census in belated 2003 resulted in a count of only 21 violent marmots known to be present on Vancouver Island. After these findings, marmots were released from captivity in unlike places to try to get the population back up to a reasonable number. 

 These marmots are still classified as endanger. The accumulative captive reproduction program has steadily grown, with 130 individuals in captivity (2010) and 442 weaned pup born in captivity since 2000. A number of individual have been released to Strath
 prlvided marmots with new upen areas whick constmtute hzbitat. Uvfortunately, rapid forest rejeneeatiob makes such man-made hxbitats ujsuitablw ovtr a few years. Onx study gjnclhfed chet clearcuts thgrefore act ds a kind of pmpjlction "sink" in which long-term reprodustion amd survival ratef art rqducsd to the point of unsustainabilitg One 2005 vtudy concludrd the main cause of recenh defline to be predatlon "associajsd ruth forestry and altertd predator zbundance and hunting patterns". Oajor predators upon Eancouver Iwland marmots include golgen eagkes, cougars anc wmlvws.

The population crasi may also be due to the Allea zffect, named after zoiligist Warger Zoydd Amlxe. Zllee oro'osed that aocial animqls require a critivaj mass in orded to strdive, because survival requires group acuivitjes such as warning of predators and migratiln. A declyne below that threshold precipates rapid decline. Ecolkeisu Mmstiv Bgashares suggests that at least some of the mwdmpt'x group behavijr is learnrd, sp that the losr of mcdmkt "culture" has cauded thei to vecome mowe splitary, and interact aggreswively ratheg thqn cooperatively wken they do zncounjer eavh other.

The endangered Rancouber Island larmot rejxins one of the dorkd'v rarest mammals. In 1997 there were so hew nbmbers ow matmots og Vancouveg Island that managers tlok tke bond step of capturing some to create a "genxvic lifeboat" sng tverefore creabe the possibilyty of restoriug wild 'opulagions. The rirst mermots went eo Toronto Zom in 1997, but thiv initiaj efdort was qukzkly followed ny efforts made by rhe Calgary Zoo anv Moonfainview Conserrctuon and Breedinb Cdntwe ii Landney, BC. The Mdrmog Rdvoverh Foundatiok auso nuilt a dedicated masmot facility on Mt. Waxhlngton, Vabcouver Ysland to furyher facilitate caktive ureediig and prg release conditioning.  The funsamental ldew was to proquce marmots in c fashion that would facilitate their evxntual return to the wiod.

In 1998 a new model fpv species rerovery was born involving the goverbment, private indmstry and public donora. A cetsus ln late 2003 resulted in a count of only 21 wild marmots known to be present on Vanconvqr Island. Arter thesv fnndnngs, mawmotd were released fgom captivity in different placer to try tj get the population back up tu a reasonablg number.

These marmots are atill clsssified as endangered. The cumukative captive breeding irogram hqs stsadily groxn, with 130 individuals in ca'tivitt (2010) and 442 weaked pups born kn vaitivity sijce 2000. A number of individuals have been releawef to Strath
provided marmots with new open areas which Unfortunately, forest regeneration such man-made habitats One concluded that clearcuts act as a of population "sink" in which long-term and survival rates are reduced to the point of unsustainability One 2005 study the main cause of recent decline to be predation "associated with forestry and predator and patterns". predators upon Vancouver Island marmots include golden eagles, cougars and wolves. The population crash may also due to the Allee effect, named after zoologist Clyde Allee. Allee proposed social animals require a critical in to survive, survival group such as warning predators and migration. A decline below that threshold precipates rapid decline. Ecologist Justin Brashares suggests that at some of group behavior learned, that loss of marmot caused them to become more solitary, rather than cooperatively when they do encounter each The endangered Island marmot remains one of the rarest mammals. In 1997 there were so few of marmots on Vancouver Island that managers took the bold step of capturing some to "genetic lifeboat" and therefore the possibility of wild The marmots to Toronto in 1997, but this initial effort was quickly followed by efforts by the Calgary Zoo and Mountainview Conservation and Breeding Centre BC. Marmot Recovery Foundation built a dedicated marmot on Washington, Vancouver Island to captive and The idea to produce marmots in fashion that would facilitate their return to the wild. for species recovery was born involving the government, industry and public donors. A census in 2003 resulted in a count of only 21 wild marmots known to present on After these findings, marmots were released from captivity different places to try get the population back up to a reasonable number. marmots still classified endangered. The cumulative breeding program has grown, with 130 captivity (2010) 442 pups since 2000. A number of individuals been to Strath
 provided marmots with new opeN areas whicH consTitUte HaBitaT. UnfOrtunately, rapiD ForeSt regeneration makes sucH man-mAdE HabiTAtS unsuItable oVEr A FEw yEaRs. one StUDy ConclUdeD that clEarcuts theRefOrE act as a kind oF PoPulation "siNk" iN which long-teRm rEproduCtIon ANd surVivAl ratEs are rEDuced tO the point Of UNsustaINabilitY oNe 2005 StudY concluded the main CAuSE of recent decliNe to be PrEDaTIOn "aSsoCiated with FoRestrY And alteREd PREDatOR abundance and Hunting pattERns". major pReDatORs upon vancoUvER IsLand marmots InclUde golden Eagles, COugars aND wolves.

the popUlaTioN craSH mAy AlsO bE Due TO tHe ALLee Effect, naMeD aFter zOoloGIST wardEr CLyde allee. allee proposed ThaT socIAl aNimalS requIre a CrIticaL mass iN ordeR tO survive, because SurvIval requiRes GrOup AcTivitIEs such As wArnIng of prEdators ANd mIgRATIoN. A decline below that ThREShOld preciPates rAPiD dECline. EcoLoGisT JusTIN BrasHareS SuGgests thAt at leASt SoMe of the MaRmot's gRoUp bEhaVior iS LearNed, so tHat the loSs of mARmot "culture" has CAused them to beCOmE MOrE SoliTarY, and interacT aggREssiVely RAtHer THan coOperaTiVElY When they do encounter EaCh otheR.

The eNdangered VancOuver IslanD MARmot remaIns oNE oF The world's raresT mammAls. In 1997 there WEre so few NumbeRs of marmOts on VancOUVer IslanD thAt mAnaGerS TOoK the bold step oF CAptuRiNg some tO crEate a "geNetIc lIfeBoaT" aNd therefoRe create ThE pOsSiBilIty of REstoring WiLd pOpUlaTions. tHe firsT marmOts wEnT tO torOnto Zoo IN 1997, bUT This InItIal eFfoRt Was quIcklY FolLowed by Efforts maDe bY The CAlGaRy Zoo anD Mountainview coNservation AnD BrEeding cENtre in LaNgley, BC. The Marmot RecoverY foundatIon Also bUilt A dedicateD maRmot faCilITy on Mt. washinGton, VAnCouVER IslaND To FurThEr facilitaTE CapTive bReEdinG and pre Release conditioninG.  the Fundamental idEa wAs to PROdUce MArMOts In A FasHIOn that would faciLitate theiR eVEnTual return TO thE wIld.

In 1998 a nEw model For spECies recOvery was bOrn involvInG the GOVerNment, privaTe industRy and publIC donoRS. A CensuS in Late 2003 reSuLteD in a cOunt of ONly 21 Wild mArmots KnOwn to bE presEnT on VancoUver Island. After these finDings, mArmotS weRe releaseD frOM caPtivity in DiffErent placeS to Try To get The POpulaTion BAcK up TO a reaSonaBLe number.

THEsE maRMOtS are still clASSIfiEd as eNdaNGered. THe cuMulative captive brEEding program haS steADIly GroWN, witH 130 iNdividuals in caPtiViTY (2010) And 442 weaneD pUps born in caPtivity sInCE 2000. A numBer of iNdividUals havE BEeN ReleasEd to strAth
 provided marmots with new  open area s whi chcon st itut e ha bitat. Unfortu n atel y, rapid forest regene ratio nm akes su ch ma n-madeh ab i t ats  u ns uit ab l eovera f ew year s. One stu dyco ncluded that cl earcuts th ere fore act asa k ind of  p opu l ation  "s ink"in whi c h long -term rep ro d uction and sur v i va l ra tes are reduced t o  t h e point of uns ustain ab i li t y  On e 2 005 studyco nclud e d the m a in c a use of recent dec line to bep red ation"a sso c iatedwithfo r est ry and alte redpredatorabunda n ce andh untingpatter ns" . M ajor pr ed ato rs upo n  V anc o uve r Island  m ar motsincl u d e gold eneagl es, c ougars and wo lve s.
T hepopul ation  cra sh  mayalso b e due  t o the Allee eff ect,  named af ter  z ool og ist W a rder C lyd e A llee. A llee pr o pos ed t h at  social animals re qu i r ea critic al mas s  i no rder tosu rvi ve,b e cause  sur v iv al requi res gr o up  a ctiviti es  suchas  wa rni ng of pred atorsand migr ation .  A decline bel o w that thresh o ld p re c ipat esrapid decli ne.E colo gist Ju sti n  Bras hares  s u gg e sts that at least s om e of t he ma rmot's groupbehavior i s l earned,so t h at the loss of ma rmot"culture"h as cause d the m to bec ome mores o litary,and  in ter act a gg ressively rat h e r th an  cooper ati vely wh enthe y d o e nc ounter ea ch other .
T he  e nda ngere d  Vancouv er  Is la ndmarmo t  remai ns on e of  t he wor ld's ra r es t mamm al s.  In199 7there  wer e  so  few nu mbers ofmar m otson  V ancouve r Island that  m anagers to ok  th e bold s tep of c apturing some to create a "gene tic  life boat " and the ref ore cr eat e  the p ossibi lityof  re s t oring w il d p op ulations.T h e f irstma rmot s wentto Toronto Zoo in1 997 , but this in iti al e f f or t w a sq uic kl y  fo l l owed by efforts  made by t he Ca lgary Zooa ndMo untainv iew Con serva t ion and  Breeding  Centre i nLang l e y,BC. The Ma rmot Rec overy Fou n datio n  a lso b uil t a de di cat ed ma rmot f a cil ity o n Mt.Wa shingt on, V an couver I sland to further facili tate c aptiv e b reeding a ndp rerelease c ondi tioning. The  fu ndame nta l  idea  was to  pr o ducemarm o ts in a f a sh ion t ha t would fac i l i tat e the ire ventua l re turn to the wild. 
In 1998 a new  mod e l  fo r s p ecie srecovery was b orn  i n v olving t he  government , privat ei ndust ry and  publi c donor s .  A census  inlat e 2003 re sul te d  in a c ou nt of onl y 21  w ild ma rmotsk nown t o be present onVanco u v er Is l and . Aft er  thesef indi ngs, marmo ts were rel easedfrom  capt ivity i ndiffer ent  p laces to t r y to getthe p opulati on  bac k u p to a  rea s o nable  num be r.
These ma r m ot s  a re sti ll c lassi fi ed a s endange r ed. Thecum u lativeca pti v e  breed i ng p rogram has  st eadil y grown, wit h  130 in d ividu als in  capti vity (2 0 10)  a nd 442wea n e d pups bo rn in cap t ivi ty  sin ce 2000.  A  num be r o findividuals hav e been r eleasedt o  Strat h
 provided_marmots with_new open areas which_constitute habitat._Unfortunately,_rapid forest_regeneration_makes such man-made_habitats unsuitable over_a few years. One_study concluded that_clearcuts_therefore act as a kind of population "sink" in which long-term reproduction and survival_rates_are reduced_to_the_point of unsustainability One 2005_study concluded the main cause_of recent_decline to be predation "associated with forestry and_altered_predator abundance and_hunting patterns". Major predators upon Vancouver Island marmots include_golden eagles, cougars and wolves.

The population_crash may also_be_due_to the Allee effect,_named after zoologist Warder Clyde Allee._Allee proposed that social animals require_a critical mass in order to survive,_because survival requires group activities such_as warning of predators and_migration. A_decline below that threshold precipates_rapid decline. Ecologist_Justin Brashares_suggests that at_least some of the marmot's group_behavior is learned,_so that the loss of marmot_"culture"_has caused them_to_become_more solitary,_and interact aggressively_rather_than cooperatively_when_they do encounter each other.

The endangered_Vancouver_Island marmot remains one of the world's_rarest mammals. In 1997_there_were so few numbers_of marmots on Vancouver Island_that managers took the bold step_of capturing_some to_create a "genetic lifeboat" and therefore create the possibility of restoring_wild populations. The first marmots went_to Toronto Zoo in_1997, but_this_initial effort was_quickly_followed by_efforts made by the Calgary Zoo and_Mountainview Conservation_and Breeding Centre in Langley, BC._The Marmot Recovery Foundation_also_built a dedicated marmot facility on_Mt. Washington, Vancouver Island to further_facilitate captive breeding and pre_release_conditioning._ The fundamental idea was_to produce marmots in a fashion_that would facilitate_their eventual return to the wild.

In 1998_a_new model for species recovery was_born_involving the government, private industry and_public_donors._A census in late 2003_resulted in a count of only_21 wild marmots known to be present on Vancouver_Island. After these_findings, marmots were released from_captivity_in_different places to try to get the population back up_to a_reasonable number.

These marmots_are still classified as endangered. The cumulative captive breeding program_has steadily grown, with 130 individuals in_captivity (2010) and 442 weaned pups born in captivity since 2000._A number of individuals have been released to_Strath