In an exclusive interview with Fat Marmot Week organizer Katie Adler, the champion of the event was revealed to be a hefty yellow-bellied marmot fond of rocks. The competition, hosted by the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Gothic, Colo., involved a vote and a weigh-in to determine the marmot that gained the most weight before hibernation season. Dawn emerged victorious in both categories.
Dawn, known for fathering multiple litters of baby marmots and enjoying licking salt and minerals off rocks, nearly doubled his weight from 2.5 to 5.9 kilograms during the summer. Organizing the event, Katie Adler described Dawn as a special marmot with a penchant for rock consumption.
As the reigning champion, Dawn has taken on the unofficial role of ambassador for the Marmot Project, a long-term research initiative facing uncertainty due to funding cuts in the U.S. The project, launched in 1962, is one of the world’s longest-running studies of individually marked mammals, following over 5,000 marmots across 12 generations.
Inspired by Alaska’s Fat Bear Week, Fat Marmot Week aims to raise awareness about the marmot population in Gothic. With winter approaching, the marmots are preparing to hibernate by gaining weight to survive the cold months.
The Marmot Project, facing financial challenges due to funding cuts, has initiated innovative campaigns like OnlyMarms on OnlyFans to attract donations and support. While these efforts have raised over $120,000, the project is seeking sustainable funding sources to continue its crucial research.
Despite the obstacles, the Marmot Project remains committed to its mission and is planning the next Fat Marmot Week for 2027. Through these initiatives, Katie Adler hopes to instill a greater appreciation for marmots among the public, highlighting their resilience and importance in the ecosystem.