Move over bears. Fat Marmot Week puts a spotlight on the alpine rodents

Fat Marmot Week has drawn attention to alpine rodents in Gothic, Colorado, shifting the spotlight away from bears. The event highlights the current status of marmot populations following a severe winter in the Colorado mountains.

Researchers reported that insufficient snow cover during the previous winter led to the death of two-thirds of one local marmot population during hibernation. However, the survivors are currently thriving and actively fattening up in preparation for the upcoming fall and hibernation cycle.