A popular event known as Fat Marmot Week recently crowned a yellow-bellied marmot named Dawn as the victor in Gothic, Colo. The competition, organized by the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, involved a vote and a weigh-in to determine the marmot that gained the most weight before hibernation.
Dawn, known for fathering baby marmots and consuming rocks for their salt and minerals, nearly doubled his weight from 2.5 to 5.9 kilograms during the summer. Katie Adler, the organizer of Fat Marmot Week, praised Dawn as a deserving winner.
As the reigning champion, Dawn now represents the Marmot Project, a research initiative facing financial challenges due to cuts in science funding. The project, established in 1962, studies yellow-bellied marmots and their adaptation to environmental changes over generations.
To raise awareness and funds, the Marmot Project launched innovative campaigns, including OnlyMarms on OnlyFans, where viewers can observe marmots on camera traps. The project has collected over $120,000 in donations but acknowledges the need for sustainable funding sources.
In response to funding cuts, the Marmot Project initiated a petition urging U.S. Congress to restore research funding. Despite these challenges, plans are underway for the next Fat Marmot Week in 2027, with hopes of fostering public appreciation for these resilient creatures.