Greig Ridge Marmot Population Supplementation …a100.gov.bc.ca/appsdata/acat/documents/r41056/09_W_CBR...Greig Ridge Marmot Population Supplementation Phase III: Strathcona Provinical

Greig Ridge Marmot Population Supplementation Phase III:

Strathcona Provinical Park 2009 Project # 09.W.CBR.02

2007 release marmot with her pups and 2009 released male Photo: Adrian Pendergast

Prepared By:

Crystal Reid, B.Sc., Marmot Recovery Foundation Sean Pendergast, R.P.Bio., BC Ministry of Environment

Don Doyle, R.P.Bio., BC Ministry of Environment

Prepared with financial support of: BC Hydro

Bridge Coastal Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program

BC Hydro Bridge Coastal Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program Greig Ridge Marmot Population Supplementation – Phase III November 15, 2009

Disclaimer The results and recommendations presented in this report do not necessarily represent official positions of BC Hydro Bridge Coastal Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program sponsors or funding agencies. Acknowledgements We would like to thank the organizations and individuals that made this project possible. Special thanks for financial support provided by the BC Hydro Bridge Coastal Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program. BCRP also provided expertise from Scott Allen and field person Dave Norton. The BC Conservation Corps provided field personnel: Crystal Reid, Cheyney Jackson and Adrian Pendergast. The Marmot Recovery Foundation provided support from Malcolm McAdie, Viki Jackson and Kim Metz as well as financial support. The Ministry of Environment Region 1 provided support from Don Doyle, Mike Stalberg, Jerry MacDermott and Sean Pendergast, infrastructure and field gear. The BC Conservation Foundation and Joanne Neilson provided administrative support. BC Parks provided knowledge of the park and backcountry expertise from Ron Quilter, Andy Smith, Jackie Zinger, and Randy Mercer. We gratefully acknowledge the support of Buckerfields in Parksville, BC, and Environment Canada. West Coast Helicopter pilots, Reto Glass, Clayton Spizawka, Ned Atikinson and Dave Wigard, provided all transport into and out of the park, putting in extra effort to pick up and drop off crews in poor weather.

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Executive Summary The Vancouver Island marmot (Marmota vancouverensis) is one of the most endangered mammals in North America and one of five mammals endemic to Canada. A captive breeding and recovery program was initiated in 1997 to create a viable population of marmots for release into the wild. By 2003 the captive population was stable and increasing. Initially this program focused on the core population area to the west of Nanaimo, British Columbia. Since 2003, 223 marmots have been released and the wild population has increased from an estimated low of 21 individuals to between 230 and 280. The first release into Strathcona Provincial Park occurred the summer of 2007, when a total of nine captive raised Vancouver Island marmots were released onto Greig Ridge. In 2008, an additional ten were released to Greig Ridge and four to Mount Alexandra on the east side of Buttle Lake. At the end of the 2008 season, there was only one possible surviving marmot, a yearling, left from the Mount Alexandra release. In the spring of 2009 she was confirmed dead via radio telemetry. In 2009, 22 marmots were released to Strathcona Provincial Park: five to Greig Ridge, five to the nearby Tibetan Peak, six to the upper Drinkwater drainage and six to Flower Ridge. Standard release protocols including the use of nest boxes and short term supplemental feeding were implemented to promote site fidelity and maximize the chance of over winter survival. After each release, crews stayed onsite for three to four days and revisited sites to monitor movement and survival. Locations of hibernacula were recorded via helicopter at the end of the season. Of the 22 marmots released in 2009, 17 to 20 survive throughout four colonies, with three of unknown status and two confirmed mortalities. Of the marmots released between 2007 and 2009, there were seven confirmed deaths in the 2009 field season. Two three-year-old females from the 2007 release bred, adding five to six pups to the population. In total, 41 marmots have been released to Strathcona Provincial Park since 2007. Twenty-eight to 36 marmots are currently hibernating (with eight of unknown status). Five viable colonies exist in Strathcona Provincial Park. More reintroductions, both supplementing existing colonies and establishing new ones, are needed to continue establishing a viable metapopulation around Buttle Lake.

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Table of Contents

Disclaimer ............................................................................................................................ i Acknowledgements.............................................................................................................. i Executive Summary ............................................................................................................ ii List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... iv List of Figures .................................................................................................................... iv 1. Introduction.................................................................................................................... 1 2. Objectives ...................................................................................................................... 2 3. Study Area ..................................................................................................................... 2 4. Methods.......................................................................................................................... 4

4.1 Assessment of Release Marmots ............................................................................. 4 4.2 Release Site Preparation .......................................................................................... 5 4.3 Field Camp Preparation ........................................................................................... 5 4.4 Release Protocols ..................................................................................................... 5 4.5 Monitoring ............................................................................................................... 5 4.6 Supplemental Feeding.............................................................................................. 6 4.7 Predator Monitoring................................................................................................. 6

5. Results............................................................................................................................ 6 5.1 Establishing Marmots on Site .................................................................................. 7 5.2 Monitoring ............................................................................................................... 8 5.3 Predator Monitoring and Mortalities ..................................................................... 12

6. Discussion .................................................................................................................... 14 6.1 Establishing Marmots on Site ................................................................................ 14 6.2 Monitoring ............................................................................................................. 14 6.3 Predator Monitoring and Mortalities ..................................................................... 15

7. Recommendations........................................................................................................ 16 8. References.................................................................................................................... 19 Appendix I ........................................................................................................................ 21

Financial Statement....................................................................................................... 21 Appendix II ....................................................................................................................... 23

Performance Measures.................................................................................................. 23 Appendix III...................................................................................................................... 25

BCRP Recognition........................................................................................................ 25 Appendix IV - Photographs .............................................................................................. 26

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List of Tables Table 1. Group composition showing age classification of captive marmots released to

Strathcona Provincial Park in 2009 ..................................................................... 4 Table 2. Minimum known distances travelled by 2009 release marmots from release

boxes .................................................................................................................... 8 Table 3. Marmot mortalities in 2009. .............................................................................. 12 List of Figures Figure 1. Overview of study area and proximity to Buttle Lake Reservoir........................ 3 Figure 2. Significant movements and hibernacula recorded for surviving marmots on

Greig Ridge and Tibetan Mountain ..................................................................... 9 Figure 3. Significant movements and hibernacula recorded for the Drinkwater release,

shown in proximity to the release box at Flower Ridge .................................... 10 Figure 4. Significant movements and hibernacula recorded for the Flower Ridge release,

with the exception of the two missing females, shown in proximity to the Drinkwater release................................................................................................ 11

Figure 5. Last known location for two-year-old female, Jane, from Flower Ridge release, shown in proximity to other marmot locations and release sites....................... 12

Figure 6. Spatial locations for deceased marmots discovered in 2009 and their respective release sites ........................................................................................................ 13

Figure 7. Study area of previous and proposed sites for marmot releases....................... 18


1. Introduction The Vancouver Island marmot (Marmota vancouverensis) is a house cat-sized member of the squirrel family and one of five mammals endemic to Canada (Nagorsen 2004). In 1979, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) designated the Vancouver Island marmot as a nationally endangered species (Munro 1978). Provincially this marmot was listed as endangered in 1980 under the British Columbia Wildlife Act (Janz et al. 1994). In 1994, the National Recovery Strategy (Janz et al. 1994) called for increased inventory and research on the species. By 1997, the southern population of Vancouver Island marmots was still in decline and the most northern population consisted of one isolated colony on Mount Washington (Bryant 1997). The causes of the population decline were thought to be related to landscape level changes and predation (Janz et al. 2000). The reasons for population decline in Strathcona Park remain unclear; however, the creation of the Buttle Lake reservoir is hypothesized to have impeded immigration and emigration due to a lack of landscape connectivity (Janz et al. 2000). Due to the population decline, the first Vancouver Island marmots were relocated to the Toronto Zoo in 1997, initiating the captive breeding program (Janz et al. 2000). By 2003 the captive population was stable and increasing (Vancouver Island Marmot Recovery Team 2008). There are now 174 animals in captivity at four institutions in Canada: the Toronto Zoo, Calgary Zoo, Mountain View Breeding and Conservation Center, and the Tony Barrett Mount Washington Marmot Recovery Center (TBMWMRC) (McAdie, pers. comm.). Initially the recovery program focused on the core population area to the west of Nanaimo, British Columbia (Janz et al. 2000). The first four captive bred marmots were released on southern Vancouver Island in 2003. Subsequently there have been releases of nine marmots in 2004, 15 in 2005, 31 in 2006, 37 in 2007, 59 in 2008 and 68 in 2009. Prior to 2007, the last marmots were sighted in Strathcona Provincial Park in 1981 near Sunshine Lake (Gibson, pers. comm.). Nine captive raised Vancouver Island marmots were released to Greig Ridge in the Park in 2007. In 2008, an additional ten were released to Greig Ridge and four to Mount Alexandra on the east side of Buttle Lake. In 2009, 22 marmots were released to the Park: five to Greig Ridge, five to the nearby Tibetan Peak, six to the upper Drinkwater drainage and six to Flower Ridge. The wild population has increased from an estimated low of 21 individuals in 2003 to between 230 and 280 marmots in 2009 (MacDermott, pers. comm.). The majority of marmots are in the south island, increasing the need for expansion and supplementation of central (Strathcona Provincial Park, Mount Alexandra and Mount Washington areas) and northern metapopulations (VIRMT 2008). All measures of success as outlined in the recovery strategy have been met by captive released marmots in the southern and central metapopulations in terms of site fidelity, successful hibernation and successful reproduction. Meeting the goal set forth in the strategy of 400-600 marmots in three metapopulations remains achievable only through the continued reintroduction

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of captive bred marmots in the coming years (VIRMT 20008). More than 100 marmots will need to be released in 2010 as the marmot facilities are reaching maximum capacity (McAdie, pers. comm.). 2. Objectives Maintain a population of Vancouver Island marmots in Strathcona Park at Greig Ridge and

Tibetan Peak through supplementation and augmentation. Verify reproduction of previously released breeding age females.

Establish additional populations of Vancouver Island marmots in Strathcona Park at the south

end of Flower Ridge and the upper Drinkwater drainage. Monitor movements of the release animals. As a part of this monitoring, locate hibernacula

to aid in verification of emergence from hibernation and survival in subsequent years. Monitor survival and predator activity (aerial and terrestrial) at the release sites within

Strathcona Park. Predation is a major factor in the southern colonies and the impact to the central metapopulation is a potential obstacle to success.

3. Study Area All sites (Figure 1) are typical Vancouver Island marmot habitat: wet sedge meadows in combination with talus boulder complexes in the alpine tundra (ATc) and subalpine zones (MHmm2) above 900 metres elevation (Bryant 1998). They are within the historically occupied range of the Vancouver Island marmot (VIRMT 2008). Specific burrows and key habitat features were identified for releases during inventories from 2005 to 2008 by the Ministry of Environment and Marmot Recovery Foundation. Further refinement of habitat identification methods may use a habitat suitability model (Lewis 2001). For the releases from 2007 to 2009, the core site selected within Strathcona Park was Greig Ridge (UTM: 10U 305628 E 5502021 N). With over six kilometres of alpine/subalpine habitat, it is the largest subalpine complex in the Park. The alpine zones lie within the Phillips Creek drainage which flows into the west side of Buttle Lake (Figure 1).

Tibetan Peak (UTM: 10U 306568 E 5503614 N) was chosen as the first release site for 2009. Three marmots from previous Greig ridge releases were residing there in 2008 and crews found several highly suitable sites to be present on and to the east of the mountain. It is the first peak on the connecting ridge just north of Greig ridge, at the headwater of Greig Creek. The upper Drinkwater drainage (UTM: 10U 316487 E 5483468 N) was also chosen for 2009. It contains ideal marmot habitat consisting of slide meadows and boulder complexes, with surrounding areas suitable for marmot dispersal. It is located at the south end of Buttle Lake and to the north of Della Falls.

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The south end of Flower Ridge (UTM: 10U 319832 E 5485480 N) was chosen because it has highly suitable habitat and is close to the Drinkwater release site. Flower Ridge is at the south end of Buttle Lake near the headwaters of Price Creek.

Figure 1. Overview of study area and proximity to Buttle Lake Reservoir

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4. Methods 4.1 Assessment of Release Marmots In the fall of 2008, 22 Vancouver Island marmots were prepared for the 2009 releases to Strathcona Provincial Park (Table 1). The groups consisted of marmots from the four breeding centres across Canada: the Calgary Zoo, the Toronto Zoo, Mountain View Breeding and Conservation Center (Langley, BC), and the Tony Barrett Mount Washington Marmot Recovery Center (TBMWMRC) on Vancouver Island. A grouping of marmots was selected for each site (see Table 2 for name, age and sex of marmots released at different sites). Table 1. Group composition showing age classification of captive marmots released to

Strathcona Provincial Park in 2009

Greig Ridge Tibetan Flower Ridge Drinkwater

Yearling Females 3 2 2 2

Yearling Males 2 2 2 2

Two-year-old Females 1

Two-year-old Males 1

Three-year-old Females 1

Three-year-old Males 1

Four-year-old Females

Four-year-old Males 1

TOTAL (out of 22) 5 5 6 6

All marmots spent a minimum of one hibernation period and a partial breeding season at the TBMWMRC on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, in order to acclimatize to similar elevation and weather systems present at the release sites. Upon emergence from hibernation a standard ration of Buckerfields® Specialty feed rabbit pellets, produce, and natural vegetation (mainly Lupinus spp.) was offered as food. As the spring and summer progressed, the amount of natural vegetation captive marmots were offered was gradually increased until the release dates of June 30 (Tibetan), July 31 (Greig Ridge) and August 11 (Flower Ridge and Drinkwater). On June 16, 2009, the five marmots of the first release group were given physical examinations. They were implanted with VHF radio transmitters (Telonics Inc. Mesa, AZ. USA; Holohil Systems Ltd., Ontario, Canada) and ear tagged (National Band & Tag Company, Newport, KY, USA), each with unique numbers, for tracking purposes in the field. Marmots were allowed to recover in a quiet dark room in Havahart® traps before being returned to their pens. The other groups were processed from June 24 to 26, 2009.

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4.2 Release Site Preparation Reconnaissance helicopter flights in June were used to verify areas clear of snow for release sites and camp locations in Strathcona Provincial Park. On foot, the crew located burrows to place shelter plywood nest boxes. To smooth the transition from captivity to the wild, nest boxes are used for a portion of the season. These boxes, similar to the nest boxes the marmots use in captivity, were filled with bedding from their captive enclosure to provide a familiar smell and initial housing. The nest boxes were pushed flush to the burrow, so that one entrance allowed access to the burrow and one to the meadow 4.3 Field Camp Preparation On Greig Ridge, a base camp was set up in the same location as previous years, approximately one kilometre away from the initial release site and Tibetan Peak. Platforms of cedar and spruce were rebuilt for tents. These platforms were raised off of the ground an average of 30 cm to minimize impact to the surrounding vegetation. An approved BC Parks TAJ holding tank toilet purchased in 2007 was reutilized. Care was taken to minimize the impact from all structures erected as well as by foot travel along the Ridge, paying particular attention to alpine Heathers (Calluna spp). At the Drinkwater and Flower Ridge sites, temporary camps were erected for four and three days respectively while monitoring the release animals. All camps were removed by the end of the season. 4.4 Release Protocols All marmots were given a prerelease physical examination before their approximately half-hour flight into the park. Marmots were carried on pack frames in Havahart® traps to release sites and released into the nest boxes. Peanut butter, Buckerfields® Specialty feed rabbit pellets, Mazuri® leaf eater biscuits and natural vegetation were placed inside the nest boxes and water dispensers were attached to the outside. Covers were placed over the nest box entrances to allow the release marmots to become familiar with the new burrow instead of fleeing immediately. After a period of time (usually two hours), crews removed the cover from the nest box to allow the marmots to explore their new environment. If they had already ‘self released’ from the nest box by digging around the box, the cover was also removed. 4.5 Monitoring Each marmot was tracked with radio telemetry for at least three days immediately post release and periodically throughout the field season thereafter. Telemetry receivers included HR2000 Osprey® (Habit Research Ltd. BC, CA), TR-4® (Telonics Inc. AZ, USA), and Lotek SRX 400® and 1000 (Lotek Wireless Inc. ONT. CA.). Telonics RA-14® “Rubber Ducky” antennas (Telonics Inc. AZ, USA) were used as well as triple Yagis from Wildlife Materials (Wildlife Materials Inc. IL, USA).

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Typically one to four locations were recorded daily with the use of Garmin® handheld GPS units (Garmin AT, OR, USA) for each marmot when possible, depending on the terrain. Locations were plotted on maps to determine minimum distance travelled by released marmots. Hibernacula and death sites were also plotted. Transmitters emit different pulse rates depending on body temperature of the marmot (< 30 degrees Celsius = 25 beats per minute and > 30 degrees Celsius = 35 beats per minute). This, along with the location of the marmot and the date found, allows biologists to determine the marmots’ status. Marmots with temperatures less than 30 degrees Celsius located in hibernacula in the summer are dead. Marmots with temperatures less than 30 degrees Celsius located in hibernacula during any other season of the year are in an inactive phase in their hibernation cycle or are dead. Marmots experience active phases in hibernation about every two weeks, when their body temperature rises above 30 degrees Celsius (Bryant, pers. comm.). 4.6 Supplemental Feeding Mazuri® leafeater biscuits and peanut butter were provided as supplemental food items when marmots were located in the summer. If it was not possible to get close to the location of an individual marmot, supplemental food items were placed in the release boxes. 4.7 Predator Monitoring Crews recorded predator activity (aerial and terrestrial) as well as other wildlife sign throughout the day while monitoring the release animals. Particular attention was paid to golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), cougars (Felis concolor) and wolves (Canis lupus), the main predators of Vancouver Island marmots. 5. Results Twenty-two marmots were released to Strathcona Provincial Park in 2009. Of the 22, there are 17 to 20 marmots surviving (with three of unknown status). Fifteen to 17 were confirmed hibernating during the final monitoring flight on November 12, 2009. Since 2007, 41 Vancouver Island marmots have been released to Strathcona Provincial Park. Currently 23 to 30 of these 41 survive throughout five colonies (with seven of unknown status). Two three-year-olds, females from the 2007 releases, reproduced in 2009 and added five to six pups to the population. Eleven marmots have been found dead, seven of these were found in 2009. In 2008, four marmots were released to the east of Buttle Lake on Mount Alexandra. At the end of the 2008 season there was only one possible surviving marmot from the Mount Alexandra release. In the spring of 2009 she was confirmed dead.

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5.1 Establishing Marmots on Site The release marmots were observed exhibiting behaviours similar to other marmots in the wild. They were observed digging, using historic burrows, exploring, foraging on natural vegetation, whistling at aerial predators and crew members, nest building, loafing and establishing territories. Two litters of pups were observed in Strathcona Provincial Park in 2009. Both were produced by females (both three-years-old at time of breeding) released during 2007. Elizabeth G was observed with a litter of three to four pups and Penny was observed with two pups. On October 9, 2009, Elizabeth G and her mate Elliot (four-year-old), were found hibernating at their 2007 and 2008 hibernaculum (Figure 2). Heidi and Russell (three-year-olds currently, released in 2008) were confirmed hibernating at their 2008 hibernaculum on November 12, 2009, in the valley floor to the west of the main release site (Figure 2). The females Poco (two-year-old) and Hanna (three-year-old) that were released with Russell were unable to be located. Penny (three-year-old breeder), a disperser from the 2007 release, could not be located on the November 12 flight due to a faulty transmitter. Peter, the adult male (four-year-old) from the 2009 Tibetan release, was located at Penny’s 2008 hibernaculum on October 9, 2009. The only other marmot with a functioning transmitter surviving from the Tibetan release (yearling Harmony) was found on the north side of Tibetan mountain, hibernating on November 12, 2009. (Figure 2) Three of the five yearlings (Chinook, Thumper and Coral) released to the east end of Grieg ridge in 2009 were found in proximity to Michelle (the two-year-old female released at the same site in 2008). All four transmitter signals indicated they were in an inactive phase of their hibernation cycles on the north side of the ridge. Two of the five (Scarlett and Victoria) were found at separate locations to the southeast of the release site. Their transmitter signals indicated they were in the active phase of a hibernation cycle, or still active on November 12, 2009. Tracks or sign above ground were not visible in the rugged terrain from the helicopter. (Figure 2) With the exception of the adult female (three-year-old Holly) released to the Drinkwater site, all release marmots were found hibernating together within 0.3 kilometres of the nest box on November 12, 2009 (Figure 3). Holly was located at a higher elevation, just above Love Lake, 1.3 kilometres to the east of the yearlings (Julia, Tamsin, Greedo and Jameson) and the two-year-old (Beckett). She was recorded as hibernating and in an active phase of her hibernation cycle. No tracks or sign were observed above ground. Three of the Flower Ridge release marmots (three-year-old Marlow, two-year-old Columbia and yearling Dart) were found hibernating 0.7 kilometres to the northeast of the release box (Figure 4 and 5). Woody (age 1) was found hibernating 0.2 kilometres northeast of the release site (Figure 4 and 5). The remaining two females (two-year-old Jane and yearling Keroppi) were missing as of the last telemetry flight.

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5.2 Monitoring Locations of dispersing marmots are plotted on Figures 2 to 6. Of all the released marmots in 2009, the smallest recorded minimum distances were for males: the yearling Brody killed by an eagle on Tibetan mountain, and for Greedo (yearling) and Beckett (two-year-old) released at Drinkwater (Table 2). In addition, a portion of the yearling group released at the east end of Greig Ridge, Coral, Chinook and Thumper, did not travel significant distances. Table 2. Minimum known distances travelled by 2009 release marmots from release boxes

Site Marmot Age Sex Least Distance Travelled on Movements (km)

Tibetan Peter 4 male 2.7Tibetan Yuni 1 female unknownTibetan Harmony 1 female 1.8Tibetan Mookie 1 male 1.6Tibetan Brody 1 male 0.5

Greig Ridge Victoria 1 female 2.4Greig Ridge Scarlett 1 female 1.5Greig Ridge Coral 1 female 0.6Greig Ridge Chinook 1 male 0.6Greig Ridge Thumper 1 male 0.6Flower Ridge Marlow 3 male 2.0Flower Ridge Jane 2 female 5.0Flower Ridge Columbia 2 female 2.8Flower Ridge Keroppi 1 female unknownFlower Ridge Woody 1 male 2.4Flower Ridge Dart 1 male 2.0Drinkwater Holly 3 female 1.5Drinkwater Beckett 2 male 0.5Drinkwater Tamsin 1 female 2.5Drinkwater Julia 1 female 0.7Drinkwater Jameson 1 male 2.1Drinkwater Greedo 1 male 0.5

After the release, no data was collected on the yearling female (Yuni) whose transmitter had failed prematurely. Similarly, no data was collected for the yearling female Keroppi after the week of release at Flower Ridge, as her signal could not be detected. In total, 22 marmots were released to Strathcona Provincial Park in 2009. Three marmots are missing (Yuni, Keroppi and Jane) and two are dead (Brody and Mookie). Fifteen to 17 marmots were hibernating by November 12, 2009; it is unknown whether Victoria and Scarlett were on an active phase in their hibernation cycle or active above ground.

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Figure 2. Significant movements and hibernacula recorded for surviving marmots on Greig Ridge and Tibetan Mountain


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Figure 3. Significant movements and hibernacula recorded for the Drinkwater release, shown in proximity to the release box at Flower Ridge


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Figure 4. Significant movements and hibernacula recorded for the Flower Ridge release, with the exception of the two missing females,

shown in proximity to the Drinkwater release


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Figure 5. Last known location for two-year-old female, Jane, from Flower Ridge release, shown in proximity to other marmot locations and release sites


5.3 Predator Monitoring and Mortalities There were seven confirmed deaths in Strathcona Provincial Park in 2009 (Table 3). Only two of the twenty-two marmots released to Strathcona Provincial Park in 2009 were found dead. Golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) killed the two male yearlings from the 2009 Tibetan release. Table 3. Marmot mortalities in 2009.

Name Sex Age Release Year Release Site Transmitter Location Cause of Death

Juno male 3 2007 Greig in situ Greig Unknown

Evan male 3 2008 Greig in situ Tibetan Unknown

Dave W male 2 2008 Greig recovered Tibetan Unknown

Scratchy male 2 2008 Greig in situ Greig Unknown

Jezebel female 4 2008 Greig recovered Greig Cougar

Brody male 1 2009 Tibetan recovered Tibetan Eagle

Mookie male 1 2009 Tibetan recovered Tibetan Eagle

At least three marmots were killed by predators in Strathcona Provincial Park in 2009. White wash (eagle scat) and two small feathers were found by Brody’s carcass, who was confirmed dead on August 1, 2009. On October 9, 2009, Mookie was found dead and his transmitter was recovered from the remains left by an eagle. A four-year-old female (Jezebel) was confirmed dead on July 1, 2009. Cougar scat was found near her carcass.

The causes of death for the other marmots and Zelda, a Mount Alexandra marmot who died between September 2008 and April 2009, are unknown. Four carcasses (Scratchy, Juno, Evan and Zelda) were not able to be retrieved because of dangerous terrain and there were no remains of the fifth carcass (Dave W), just a transmitter. Scratchy was heard on a hibernation signal on the north side of Greig Ridge in the fall of 2008 and was heard on mortality signal on the south side in the spring. All the marmots Scratchy, Juno, Evan, Dave W and Zelda were heard on mortality signals in the spring and all located away from known hibernacula. Evan and Dave W were not far from Penny’s hibernaculum and Juno was not far from Elizabeth G’s and Elliot’s hibernaculum (Figure 6).

Old cougar scat was found approximately 100 metres below the Flower Ridge release site, after the release. No other predator sign was recorded at the release sites.

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Figure 6. Spatial locations for deceased marmots discovered in 2009 and their respective release sites

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6. Discussion 6.1 Establishing Marmots on Site The primary objective of Phase I, which began in 2007, was to successfully reintroduce Vancouver Island marmots to Strathcona Provincial Park. All measures of success, as outlined in the Recovery Strategy (Janz et al. 2000), have been met by marmots released in 2007 in terms of site fidelity, successful hibernation and successful reproduction. The primary objective of Phase II, which began in 2008, was to supplement the previously established group of marmots in Strathcona Park. Some aggression was observed and four marmots moved off site (Pendergast et. al 2008); however, remaining marmots integrated into the colonies. Evan and Dave W were located close to Penny near the time of breeding after hibernation (spring 2009). Because one of these 2008 released males sired a litter of pups, all measures of success as outlined in the Recovery Strategy (Janz et al. 2000) for the Phase II marmots have been met. The primary objectives of Phase III in 2009 were to supplement the previously established group of marmots on Greig Ridge and Tibetan Peak, as well as establish two more colonies in Strathcona Provincial Park at Flower Ridge and in the upper Drinkwater drainage. Twenty-three to 30 of these 41 survive in five colonies: one on Flower Ridge, one at the upper Drinkwater drainage, one on Tibetan Mountain and two on Greig Ridge. The range of seven is for various reasons including faulty transmitters, potentially large movements and crew not being able to locate marmots. Once again, all measures of success as outlined in the Recovery Strategy (Janz et al. 2000), the initial project application for 2009 and Phase III have been met. 6.2 Monitoring Of the 22 marmots released in 2009, 15 are known to be hibernating within two kilometres of the release sites. The minimum distance covered over the season by at least nine of these marmots was equal to or greater than two kilometres (Table 2). This indicates that some marmots significantly explored their new territories before returning to hibernate close to their release boxes. The greatest travelled distance recorded was five kilometres by the two-year-old female (Jane) released at Flower Ridge. She moved this distance sometime between August 11 and September 22, 2009, the last time her signal was heard. Dispersal of release marmots was expected based on experience from previous supplementation releases on southern Vancouver Island. When groups of marmots were released to a colony with similar dynamics, released marmots moved up to 25 kilometers away (MacDermott, pers. comm.). Dispersal is a means to spread genes and establish new colonies (Bryant 1998).


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Five to eight released marmots are assumed to be hibernating individually at different sites in the park. Woody, a yearling male, is the sole marmot with a functioning transmitter hibernating half a kilometre away from the only known location of a female from the Flower Ridge release. Holly, the breeding age female from the Drinkwater release is hibernating by herself 1.3 kilometres away from the rest of the group. Jane, the breeding age female of the Flower Ridge release, as well as the yearling female Keroppi could not be located. The yearling female with a failed transmitter, Yuni, also could not be located, but it is possible she is hibernating with another marmot and cannot be detected because her transmitter is not emitting a signal. Harmony is the only marmot with a functioning transmitter that is hibernating close to Limestone Cap, on the north side of Tibetan Mountain (Figure 2). Scarlett and Victoria are separate and away from the rest of the 2009 Greig release group of yearlings. Both of them were detected on an active cycle on November 12, 2009, so there is a slight chance they may not be at their final hibernaculum locations. Marmots have been seen above ground in November in previous years as observed by field crews on the south island (MacDermott, pers. comm.). Breeding may be limited by marmots hibernating individually, as breeding usually takes place in the hibernaculum shortly after emergence (McAdie, pers. comm.). There still may be reproduction at these sites as we have observed marmots moving around extensively in the spring, presumably in search of mates. 6.3 Predator Monitoring and Mortalities In 2008, four marmots were released to Mount Alexandra on the east side of Buttle Lake. At the end of the year, there was only one possible surviving marmot, Zelda, a yearling. Biologists were unable to determine if Zelda was underground hibernating or if her transmitter was emitting a mortality signal on the final flight of 2008. In 2009 she was confirmed in the same location and her transmitter emitted a mortality pulse. Her transmitter was unable to be recovered because of terrain, thus the cause of death is unknown. Because of the timing of her death, between the fall of 2008 and the spring of 2009, it is possible she died in hibernation. The other three marmots deaths were not hibernation related as they occurred in the summer of 2008 (Pendergast et. al. 2008). Patty, a yearling female, was killed by an immature Golden eagle (flushed near the location of the transmitter with the helicopter), and Kip, a yearling male, was killed by a wolf (bone shards and tooth marks in transmitter wax) (Pendergast et. al. 2008). Leon’s (a two-year-old male’s) transmitter was unable to be recovered and thus the cause of death is unknown. As the habitat on and surrounding Mount Alexandra remains suitable, including sites with historic marmot colonies, more reintroductions are necessary to re-establish the dispersal connection to Mount Washington, the only remaining natural colony on the east side of Buttle Lake (Bryant, pers. comm.).

Six of the eleven deaths in Strathcona Provincial Park recorded from 2007 to 2009 may have been hibernation related, as determined by the last known alive dates and first known dead dates. If a marmot is found dead in its hibernaculum over winter or if it is severely emaciated in the spring, its death is considered hibernation-related. In the latter case, there are not enough fat reserves to sustain the body from the fall to the end of spring. This was the case with three-year-old Chuckie on Greig Ridge (Pendergast et al. 2008). As four of the park marmots (Juno,


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Scratchy, Dave W and Evan) died early in the spring, their deaths could be hibernation-related. There were no remains of Dave W, only a transmitter, so his body may have been scavenged. Without recovering the other transmitters and without carcasses, predators cannot be ruled out of these deaths. Two-year-old Mae also falls within this category (Pendergast et al. 2008). The definitive causes of death remain unknown.

Only one carcass recovered from 2007 to 2009 was recorded as a cougar kill: the four-year-old Jezebel. Three marmots were killed by Golden eagles in the Greig Ridge – Tibetan area: the three-year-old Wicca (Pendergast et al. 2007), and the yearlings Brody and Mookie. The cause of death remains unclear for the two-year-old Walt (Pendergat et al. 2008). No wolf sign has been observed in the park by field crews. Field crews and pilots routinely observed significant numbers of black tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus) that appear to reside on Greig Ridge for the entire summer. Groups of eight to ten deer have been observed at one time in close proximity to the release sites. In 2007, inventory crew member Jerry MacDermott observed more than 40 deer in a two kilometre stretch between Greig Lake and the head of the Phillips Creek drainage. These deer did not flee from crews or helicopters until approached very closely indicating they may not be experiencing pressure from terrestrial predators (MacDermott, pers. comm.). During 2008 and 2009, fewer deer were seen on the Ridge, however an abundance of sign in the way of tracks and scat was still observed. Deer that were observed appeared to be more secretive and skittish possibly indicating terrestrial predators have started to visit the area, or that deer have adapted quickly to the human presence. In total, 41 marmots have been released to Strathcona Provincial Park and four to Mount Alexandra. There are no remaining marmots on Mount Alexandra and eight marmots are of unknown status in the Park. At the end of the 2009 field season, 28 to 36 marmots were living throughout five colonies in Strathcona Provincial Park. 7. Recommendations This project built on releases that occurred in 2007 (Pendergast et. al. 2007) and 2008 (Pendergast et.al. 2008). Initial releases consisted of small groups being released to specific historical sites to test survival, site fidelity and reproduction. As a result, significant milestones have been achieved over the last 3 years:

1. Successful over winter hibernation in 2007/08 and 2008/09 2. Persistence of marmots on site 2007-2009 3. The first successful reproduction (2 litters) in 2009

The Vancouver Island Marmot Recovery Team and Marmot Recovery Foundation feel the achievement of these milestones will allow movement to the next phase of re-establishing a viable metapopulation around Buttle Lake. The overall plan from 2010 onwards should be to complete more large scale releases. To rebuild the metapopulation structure on both sides of the Lake, the focus will need to be on establishing new colonies along the east side of Buttle Lake and supplementing successful colonies on the west and south ends of Buttle Lake (Figure 7). Post hibernation survival, reproduction and dispersal will need to be monitored to determine the success of these colonies.


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The recommended site and release plan for 2010 would include but is not limited to:

1. One or two groups to supplement the previously released groups on Greig Ridge.

The previous releases on Greig Ridge (2007-2009) have demonstrated good survival and produced a litter of three to four pups this year. This would further the effort to make Greig Ridge the core colony for the Park’s marmot population on the west side of Buttle Lake.

2. One to three groups to Tibetan Mountain area, north of Greig Ridge to supplement

the marmots on site. This approach (supplementing established pairs) has worked well on both Greig Ridge and southern Vancouver Island. In 2008 and 2009, crews working on Greig Ridge found several highly suitable sites to be present on and to the east of Tibetan Mountain.

3. One group to supplement the 2008 release site on Mount Alexandra. This release

was unsuccessful leaving no survivors (at least three of the four deaths not hibernation related). This is an attempt to re-establish the dispersal connection to Mount Washington, the only remaining natural colony in the area, and to establish marmots on the east side of Buttle Lake

4. One group to Flower Ridge at the south end of Buttle Lake. This is to supplement

the 2009 release.

5. One to two groups to upper Drinkwater drainage near the Flower Ridge site. The proximity to Flower Ridge is important. This is an attempt to duplicate releases on the south Island where clustering sites close together maximizes the chance of dispersal from one site to another. This approach has been very effective with previous releases. This would also supplement the 2009 release.

6. Two to three groups to the Forbidden Plateau/Mount Albert Edward area (east side

of Buttle Lake – suitable habitat identified in 2009). This site would also build on the dispersal connection to Mount Washington. It is closer to the existing Mount Washington colony, and may act as a stepping stone to Mount Alexandra.

7. Two to three groups to the north east side of Henshaw Creek (large amounts of

suitable habitat identified in 2009 aerial surveys). This site would also build on the dispersal connection along the east side of Buttle Lake. It would act as a stepping stone between the existing Forbidden Plateau area/Mount Washington and Flower Ridge/Drinkwater colonies.

The goal set forth in the National Recovery Strategy of increasing the Vancouver Island marmot population to 400-600 remains achievable only through reintroduction of captive bred marmots (Janz et al. 2000). For the population to become self sustaining, 130-200 marmots are needed in each of three metapopulations: central (Strathcona Provincial Park, Mount Alexandra and Mount Washington area), northern and southern areas (Vancouver Island Marmot Recovery Team 2008). The total wild population hovers between 230-280, with the majority in the southern metapopulation (McAdie, pers. comm.). Currently, 28-36 marmots survive in Strathcona


Provincial Park and 32-37 on Mount Washington (MacDermott, pers. comm.). If more than 100 marmots are released to the Park in 2010, the central metapopulation goal could be met by 2011, in time for Strathcona Provincial Park’s 100th anniversary.

Figure 7. Study area of previous and proposed sites for marmot releases

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8. References Barth, K. Personal Communication. Kwakuitl District Council Planning and Research

Coordinator. Bryant, A. 1997. Updated status of the Vancouver Island marmot (Marmota

vancouverensis) in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Species in Canada. (Ottawa, ONT.) 21pp.

Bryant, A. 1998. Metapopulation ecology of Vancouver Island marmots

(Marmota vancouverensis). Ph. D. dissertation. University of Victoria (Victoria, BC). 125pp.

Bryant, A. Personal Communication. Independent consultant. Gibson, A. Unpublished Data. Heard, D.C. 1977. The behaviour of Vancouver Island marmots (Marmota

vancouverensis). M.Sc. Thesis, University of British Columbia (Vancouver, BC) 129 pp.

Janz, D, C. Blumensat, N. K. Dawe, B. Harper, S. Leigh-Spencer, W. Munro, and D.

Nagorson 1994. National Recovery Plan for the Vancouver Island marmot. Report No. 10. Recovery of Nationally Endangered Wildlife, (Ottawa, ONT.) 32pp.

Janz, D., A. A. Bryant, N.K. Dawe, H. Schwantje, B. Harper, D. Nagorson,

D. Doyle, M. deLaronde, D. Fraser, D. Lindsay, S. Leigh-Spencer, R. McLaughlin and R. Simmons 2000. National Recovery Plan for the Vancouver Island marmot (Marmota vancouverensis) – 2000 update. Recovery of Nationally Endangered Wildlife 2000. (Ottawa, ONT.) 35pp.

Lewis, J. 2001 Rating Potential Vancouver Island Habitat thru remote sensing and

GIS. Presentation to the Vancouver Island Marmot Recovery Team, October 2001.

MacDermott, J. Personal Communication. Vancouver Island Marmot Field Inventory

Crew. Terrestrial Predator Specialist. McAdie, M. Personal communication. Tony Barrett Mount Washington Marmot

Recovery Center. Chairperson: Vancouver Island Marmot Captive Management Team.

Munro, W.T. 1978. COSEWIC status report on the Vancouver Island marmot Marmota

vancouverensis in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. (Ottawa, ONT.) 12pp.

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Nagorsen, D.W. 2004. Canada’s endemic mammals at risk: Recent taxonomic advances

and priorities for conservation. Species at Risk 2004 Pathways to Recovery Conference Organizing Committee. (Victoria, B.C.) 2pp.

Norton, D. Personal Communication. Ministry of Environment and BC Hydro field

crew in Strathcona Park 2008. Pendergast, S., C.D. Reid 2008. Greig Ridge Marmot Population Supplementation Phase

II – Strathcona Park 2008. Prepared for BC Hydro Bridge Coastal Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program. 28 pp.

Pendergast, S., C.D. Reid 2007. Greig Ridge Vancouver Island Marmot Transplant – Strathcona Park 2007. Prepared for BC Hydro Bridge Coastal Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program. 43pp.

Vancouver Island Marmot Recovery Team. 2008. Recovery Strategy for the Vancouver

Island Marmot (Marmota vancouverensis) in British Columbia. Prepared for the B.C. Ministry of Environment, Victoria, BC. 23pp.

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Appendix I Financial Statement Budget Variances:

The BCRP portion of the budget was slightly over spent during the 2009 release season. There were some unexpected equipment purchases made to compensate for equipment damaged while monitoring. In order for the project to proceed, the Ministry of Environment (MoE) and Marmot Recovery Foundation (MRF), along with the BC Conservations Corps (BCCC), allocated more helicopter time and field gear to compensate for this over expenditure. A generator was not rented but instead borrowed from MoE, meaning that a portion of the proposed budget was under spent. In addition, propane heaters were used for heat and solar panels for charging. Field/travel expenses were under spent and instead ran through the Marmot Recovery Foundation and the BC Conservation Foundation. Only slightly more money was spent on helicopter rentals during 2009. There were a few extra flights to accommodate park inspections, multiple releases to multiple sites and extensive monitoring. Fewer flights were taken to relocate wandering marmots. This was due to the more operational release nature of this season. The small additional helicopter costs were paid for by the Marmot Recovery Foundation, BC Conservations Corps and the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund to allow the project to continue unhindered. Financial Statement Form Project # 09.W.CBR.02

BUDGET ACTUAL BCRP Other BCRP Other INCOME Total Income by Source 66,225.00 100,675.00 66,225.00 105,926.25 Grand Total Income (BCRP + other)

166,900.00 172,151.25

EXPENSES Note: Expenses must be entered as negative numbers (e.g.

– 1000, etc.) in order for the formulas to calculate correctly. Project Personnel Wages 20,400.00 48,950.00 20,021.00 48,425.00 Consultant Fees (List others as required)

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Materials & Equipment Equipment Rental 38,400.00 8000.00 38,400.00 7726.00 Materials Purchased 5,775.00 4,500.00 6308.91 8075.25 Travel Expenses 1650.00 1,300.00 398.00 6425.00 Permits (List others as required) Equipment Supplied 35,275.00 35,275.00 Administration Office Supplies Photocopies & printing Postage 43.58 (List others as required) Office administration (govt5%) 3,000.00 3,000.00 Total Expenses 66,225.00 101,025.00 68,171.49 105,926.25 Grand Total Expenses (BCRP + other)

167,250.00 174,097.74

BALANCE (Grand Total Income – Grand Total Expenses)

-350.00

-1902.91

* Any unspent BCRP financial contribution to be returned to: BC Hydro, BCRP 6911 Southpoint Drive (E14) Burnaby, BC V3N 4X8 ATTENTION: JANICE DOAN


Appendix II Performance Measures

Performance Measures – Target Outcomes

Habitat (m2)

In-s

trea

m H

abit

at –

Tri

buta

ry

Rip

aria

n

Res

ervo

ir S

hore

line

Com

plex

es

Riv

erin

e

Low

land

Dec

iduo

us

Low

land

Con

ifer

ous

Upl

and

Wet

land

Primary Habitat Benefit Targeted of Project (m2)

Primary Target Species

In-S

trea

m H

abit

at –

M

ains

trea

m

Project Type

Est

uari

ne

Impact Mitigation Area of habitat made available to target species

Fish passage technologies

Drawdown zone revegetation/stabilization

Area turned into productive habitat

Wildlife migration improvement

Area of habitat made available to target species

Marmo t x

Area of wetland habitat created outside expected flood level (1:10 year)

Prevention of drowning of nests, nestlings

Habitat Conservation

Habitat conserved – general Functional habitat conserved/replaced through

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acquisition and mgmt

Functional habitat conserved by other measures (e.g. riprapping)

Designated rare/special habitat

Rare/special habitat protected

Maintain or Restore Habitat forming process

Artificial gravel recruitment Area of stream habitat improved by gravel plmt.

Artificial wood debris recruitment

Area of stream habitat improved by LWD plcmt

Small-scale complexing in existing habitats

Area increase in functional habitat through complexing

Marmot 153.1 ha

Prescribed burns or other upland habitat enhancement for wildlife

Functional area of habitat improved

Habitat Development New Habitat created Functional area created Marmot 153.1 ha


Appendix III BCRP Recognition Our research, with recognition of the substantial support from BC Hydro Bridge Coastal Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program, has been presented to the:

Vancouver Island Marmot Recovery Team at the biannual full day meetings at the Ministry of Environment office in Nanaimo (2080 Labieux Road)

Vancouver Island Marmot Captive Management Group multiday meetings at the Toronto Zoo

Habitat Recovery Implementation Group Chair at the Habitat Action Plan Subcommittee meeting at TimberWest Forest Corp., Nanaimo

Arrowsmith Naturalists, who are affiliated with B.C. Nature and Nature Canada Provincial Wildlife meetings Wildlife Society 16th Annual Conference in Monterey, California, U.S.A.

Weekly reports were electronically mailed to the Vancouver Island Marmot Recovery Board during the field season. The public is made aware through news (BCRP was thanked in the Cowichan Valley Citizen), television programs (Animal Rescue Squad, etc.) and newsletters: the Mount Washington Marmot Newsletter and the Marmot Recovery Foundation’s Newsletter – the Marmoteer. Also, BCRP was thanked in NatureWILD Magazine (Volume 10, Issue 2) and at the following events not recorded in the 2008 report:

Salmon Kings Hockey Game in Victoria (booth set up for Mascot “Marty the Marmot’s” Birthday Party) – November 15, 2008

Young Naturalist’ Club of British Columbia Interpretive Talk – January 24, 2009 North Island College presentation – January 29, 2009 Alliance of Vancouver Island Coastal Communities AGM/Convention – April 3-

5, 2009

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Documents

Greig Ridge Marmot Population Supplementation …a100.gov.bc.ca/appsdata/acat/documents/r41056/09_W_CBR...Greig Ridge Marmot Population Supplementation Phase III: Strathcona Provinical