.jpg)
.jpg)
A hoary marmot that began “aggressively begging for food” at Mount Rainier National Park has been relocated to Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, according to a news release.
“We're pleased to provide a new home for this young marmot, where he will serve as an ambassador for his wild counterparts to ‘keep wildlife wild,’” the wildlife park stated in the release.
The marmot, named Chestnut, will make his public debut at Northwest Trek Nov. 10.
The young marmot, estimated to be born in spring 2022, was fed human food and began seeking food from people in the national park.
According to Mount Rainier National Park officials, the animal had become a danger to himself and people.
"Food-conditioned animals will beg aggressively for food and may bite, causing serious injury and possible infection to people," said Dr. Tara Chestnut, former wildlife ecologist for Mount Rainier National Park. "Feeding an animal can also potentially spread diseases among animals and people. In most cases, the only solution for food-conditioned animals is to remove them, which typically means humanely euthanizing them."
When Chestnut observed the marmot's behavior and assessed its young age, she called Northwest Trek's head veterinarian, Dr. Allison Case, to see if the animal might be a candidate to become an ambassador animal for the wildlife park.
An ambassador animal provides lessons to the visiting public about how to be good stewards of public lands. After learning of the animal's history, Case determined the marmot would be a good candidate, and the wildlife park had space for him. If the answer had been no, the only other option would have been euthanasia, according to the release.
"Animals that are habituated to humans and become food-conditioned are often killed by traffic or euthanized for public safety,” Chestnut said. "We are fortunate that Northwest Trek can provide a great home for this marmot so he can live a full life. Most wild animals that become habituated to people are not so lucky."
Case said she agreed with Chestnut the marmot would provide a learning opportunity for the public.
"This marmot will be a wonderful ambassador for his wild counterparts and encourage our guests to respect and appreciate wildlife from a distance when visiting our parks and other natural areas,” case said.
Northwest Trek staff and Chestnut have worked closely for years on conservation projects, including restoring fishers to Washington's Cascade Mountain Range. The keepers wanted to honor their longstanding relationship and Chestnut's dedication to wild animals and therefore named the marmot "Chestnut."
Chestnut is the first hoary marmot to live at Northwest Trek, so keepers, veterinarians and other staff were mesmerized and curious about Chestnut's arrival, the release stated.
Upon arrival, every animal new to the wildlife park undergoes a comprehensive health exam. During Chestnut's health exam, keepers took turns admiring the giant rodent while Case, Associate Veterinarian Dr. Cassidy Soehnlein and Veterinary Technician Tracy Cramer worked away. With the help of keepers and park scientists, they took blood samples and X-rays, trimmed his nails, gave him essential vaccines, examined his mouth and teet, and weighed him. Chestnut weighed nearly 9 pounds. Adult males can weigh more than 10 pounds.
"He appears to be a very healthy, young marmot," Case said.
Hoary marmots are the largest member of the squirrel family. They are common in the subalpine regions of Mount Rainier National Park, which is around the southern limit of their range. They can be found all the way north to Alaska. They eat vast amounts of meadow vegetation, including sedges and lupine. The thick layers of fat they develop allow them to survive eight to nine months of hibernation each year. Hoary marmots are named for the silvery gray fur on their shoulders and upper back. Marmots are sometimes called "whistle pigs" for the exceptionally loud, shrill whistle-call they can make to warn against the presence of potential predators.
According to the release, biologists at Mount Rainier National Park have noticed a change in the natural behavior of the park's wildlife. Some animals have been fed by people and are now "food-conditioned," meaning they seek out people for food.
They learn to steal from picnic tables and trash cans and forage through visitors' belongings. This behavior is unsafe for both wildlife and park visitors, according to the park. “Food-conditioned animals are very smart,” the release stated. “They have learned to change their behavior to convince humans they need our snacks. They don't; they've just discovered they can get an easy meal from us. Feeding wildlife can be as direct as offering some of your lunch, tossing an apple core out the window or leaving food or garbage exposed for animals to find. An animal may take just one experience to learn ‘people equal food.’ Wildlife depends on natural behavior for survival; once a wild animal becomes food-conditioned, it loses its natural fear of people and public places. Not feeding park animals keeps people safe and wildlife wild.”
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park in Eatonville is open Friday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guests can look for Chestnut in the wetlands habitat of the wildlife park.
U.S. military veterans and active duty members can enjoy Northwest Trek for free on Nov. 11 for Veterans Day. Immediate family members receive half-off general admission.
Learn more at nwtrek.org.
