Violet, Vancouver Island’s own weather-predicting, burrow-dwelling mammal, saw her shadow this morning on Groundhog Day.
According to long-established traditions set by the marmot’s groundhog cousins, that means we can expect six more weeks of winter. Her mate Philip backed her up, confirming the forecast.
Violet was roused from hibernation this morning to be weighed and have her temperature checked, and to make her annual prediction. The “Marmot Weather Prognistication Tool,” a sheet of paper with two options on it, was presented to the sleepy marmot.
With no hesitation, Violet chose the “more winter” option before handlers tucked her back into her box of hay at the Tony Barrett Mount Washington Marmot Recovery Centre.
The marmot is part of the unique Vancouver Island marmot population, Canada’s most endangered mammals. There are only 427 in the wild, but their numbers have been slowly increasing during the last several decades. At one point, fewer than 20 animals remained in the wild.
Ongoing recovery efforts, including a conservation breeding program and collaboration with the Calgary Zoo, have helped restore the marmot colonies on Mount Washington and in the surrounding region.
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