In a recent interview, Katie Adler, the organizer of Fat Marmot Week, discussed the winner of the competition – a hefty yellow-bellied marmot named Dawn from Gothic, Colo. The contest, hosted by the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, involved a popular vote and a weigh-in to determine the marmot that gained the most weight before hibernation season. Dawn emerged victorious on both fronts.
According to Dawn’s online profile, he is known for fathering multiple baby marmots and has a penchant for licking salt and minerals off rocks. Over the summer, Dawn nearly doubled his weight from 3.8 to 5.9 kilograms, equivalent to about 5.5 to 13 pounds. Organizer Katie Adler praised Dawn, describing him as a “special boy who likes to eat rocks.”
As the reigning champion, Dawn has taken on the unofficial role of ambassador for the Marmot Project, a long-standing research initiative facing funding uncertainties due to cuts in science and education budgets in the U.S. The initiative, which began in 1962, focuses on studying yellow-bellied marmots and their adaptation to environmental changes.
Inspired by Alaska’s Fat Bear Week, Fat Marmot Week sheds light on the hibernation habits of marmots, who bulk up before winter to survive the cold. Katie Adler, a graduate student at UCLA working on the Marmot Project, emphasized the importance of long-term funding for the research to continue its valuable work.
However, the Marmot Project’s future is at risk due to funding cuts, including a reduction in research grants from the National Science Foundation. In response, the project has launched innovative campaigns like OnlyMarms on OnlyFans to raise awareness and gather donations. Despite raising over $120,000 in donations, the project acknowledges that this approach is not sustainable for long-term research.
To address funding challenges, the Marmot Project has initiated a petition urging Congress to restore research funding. The initiative aims to ensure the continuity of crucial research efforts. Looking ahead, the Marmot Project plans to host Fat Marmot Week in 2027 while continuing its mission to study and protect yellow-bellied marmots.