Daniel Blumstein has faced funding challenges for his yellow-bellied marmots study, especially after environmental research defunding by the Trump administration. To overcome this, he drew inspiration from the Apple TV comedy Margo’s Got Money Troubles, prompting the creation of an OnlyFans account named “OnlyMarms” by one of his graduate students at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Colorado.
While OnlyFans is commonly known for explicit content, Blumstein clarifies that OnlyMarms is a family-friendly project, showcasing amusing images of marmots without sexualization. The project, initiated in June, regularly posts new marmot pictures and bios on the platform.
The team is currently gearing up for “Fat Marmot Week,” starting on August 24, with a unique tournament akin to Alaska’s “Fat Bear Week.” Additionally, there are plans for a collaboration with Vancouver Island Marmots from a Canadian conservation group.
Blumstein’s lab, focusing on yellow-bellied marmots and their response to climate change, has been running since 1962, making it one of the longest wild mammal studies after Jane Goodall’s chimpanzee research. The research delves into aging and epigenetics, exploring how environmental factors impact gene functioning in mammals.
Apart from studying marmots, the lab emphasizes body positivity, highlighting the animals’ need to gain weight for survival without health issues. Despite facing funding rejections even prior to the Trump administration’s cuts, Blumstein has sustained his study through collaborations and external grants.
OnlyMarms has raised around $3,000 US since June, though Blumstein mentions that additional funding is required to sustain the project. While OnlyFans aids in covering certain expenses, Blumstein urges supporters to consider donating directly to UCLA to support the marmot study’s continuity.