I nstead, we've constructed a kind of financial three-legged stool, in which funding is obtained from government, industry and the general public. Our philosophy stresses cooperation, not confrontation. T he idea is that if saving marmots is important to YOU personally, we've built a number of mechanisms through which you can help. A few fast facts about Vancouver Island marmots. There are 14 marmot species in the world, of which 6 species live in North America, and 4 species live in Canada.
Marmots live in underground burrows.
These can be quite elaborate, including sleeping chambers and multiple entrances. Vancouver Island marmots hibernate for about seven months each year, from late September to early May. Adults mate underground in the spring, and produce an average litter of three pups that first emerge in early July. Most marmots don't breed until they reach 4 years old, and thereafter usually breed only every second year. Vancouver Island marmots can easily live to be 10 or more years old. Unfortunately, few animals today live past 3-6 years of age, and this reduced survival is why the population is declining.