These conflicts are normal for Vancouver Island marmots, and the injuries, while alarming, are typically superficial. We see bites and small facial injuries as marmots, especially males, move around the colony and establish territories. Though, as with Bluebell, conflict is not limited to males.

Our vet was on site, and examined Bluebell. Fortunately the injury was to tissues around the eye, not the eye itself, and she was left in place. In the past month, the eye has healed well, and while Bluebell has been a little more shy, she appears completely healthy.

She was missing her ear tag, and one eye looked badly damaged. We strongly suspect that Bluebell got into it with one of the recent releases, resulting in a nasty looking injury, and torn off ear tag. Likely it was not long before these photos, given the red, flowing blood.

The next morning, I returned again. One of the releases was sitting at the nest box, while the others were inside or nearby. To my surprise, a furry nose popped out just a few feet away. It was Bluebell of course, but something was clearly wrong.

This June after releasing 4 marmots in the morning, I returned in the evening for a check-in. All four were still near the nest box, but, no surprise, so was Bluebell. Everything seemed calm and everyone seemed to be getting along.

She lives at Mount Washington, which is a large and active colony where we release a lot of marmots. Following the release in her territory on the hill, Bluebell will quickly visit, often taking their peanut butter smeared biscuit treats.

Vancouver Island marmots live in colonies, but there can be social tension. Some marmots are quite territorial while others seem more laid back about other marmots in their space. Bluebell is very much the former.

Let’s talk about Bluebell. WARNING: there are some pictures of injuries and blood that may be disturbing. Read photo alt text for more detail.

“Draw me like one of your French marmots” @rmblscience.bsky.social Us marmots have to stick together. Bluebell says she's willing to volunteer for your OnlyMarms. She's not a Yellow-bellied marmot, but she is very keen to pose for the camera!

"Angela" was one of 15 endangered Vancouver Island marmots we released today. This brings us 56 marmots we have released or translocated so far this year! Photo by Kevin Gourlay

Weekend goal: find more flowers. Ate the last one.

Spot the Marmoteer! Over the past three days, our field teams were camping at marmot colonies, releasing marmots, and following up on the residents. Finding good vantage points to see the marmots can be challenging, but the views are amazing. Marmots pick the best spots!

Vancouver Island marmots have favorite rocks where they rest, watch for predators, and digest their latest meal of plants. The marmots will use the same rock for generations, creating a distinctive wear stain on the rock from the oils in their fur and urine.

Unfortunately, the colony at Haley Lake was completely lost in the early 2000s. It was one of the first sites that we reintroduced marmots too, and the colony has received a lot of support since then. Seeing successful marmots there is very gratifying!

This parent and their year-old young are extra special because both are wild-born. They live in Haley Lake Ecological Reserve, a park that was created specifically to protect Vancouver Island marmot habitat.

It is always special to see parents Vancouver Island marmots interacting with their young. This nose booping check-in behaviour is characteristic of the species for related and mating marmots. And let’s acknowledge that it is extraordinarily cute.

You never know if a marmot is stalking you. Well, sometimes you do :) This wild-born marmot was quite curious about us during our visit to Haley Lake Ecological Reserve today.

Update: Gob in his new meadow!

He really is just a fantastic marmot, and he won the heart of our Marmot Keeper team, but we know that he belongs in the wild. He is a being released with a female friend to a very small colony that will greatly benefit from having some new community members.

This morning we released Gob to the wild, again. Last year we released Gob, but he was like “no, I don’t wanna,” and he found his way back to the Marmot Recovery Centre. Rather than let him try to hibernate under the Centre, we obliged him and brought him back into care for the winter.

A total of 4 marmots were released yesterday, and another 49 marmots will be released or translocated this summer. This one is Micah, one of the marmots released yesterday.

First Vancouver Island marmots of 2026 released today. Four marmots now have a new home in the wild. Thank you to everyone who makes moments like this possible.

Talamore’s mate last year was Esmeralda. She left Talamore and the pups in the middle of last summer, and may be pursuing Hobbs, who is still with Bluebell. Fortunately, Dorothy filled the hole in Talamore’s heart and we think the pair has pups in addition to the yearlings. #daysofourlivesscripts

Talamore is the epitome of a Vancouver Island marmot dad. Left on his own with four pups last summer, he successfully got all them through hibernation, healthy in the spring, and we suspect is raising another litter now. Happy Father’s Day!

Yesterday, Marmot Technician Erin was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Gracelyn at her home in Bell Creek Meadow. Gracelyn was born at the Tony Barrett Mount Washington Marmot Centre and released to the wild in 2023. Photo by Erin Barlett

I can't believe we're doing this again, but Port Alberni folks, have you seen this marmot? It was reported by a hiker near the Log Train Trail. We were able to locate it again yesterday, but today it has disappeared.

It is exhausting keeping up with the social lives of marmots. (Photos yesterday by Adam Taylor)

Last year, he and Esmeralda had a litter of pups. But this year Esmeralda has moved to another a part of the hill, leaving the now year-old marmots in the care of Dad. Meanwhile, Dorothy has moved in with Talamore’s family, and we suspect the pair have another litter of pups nursing in the burrow!

He has been caught safely!

An update to the update. Marmot found - but not caught yet!