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NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedAugust 21, 2026Miami-Dade County

Researchers launch 'Fat Marmot Week' to fund long-term Colorado wildlife study

Photo: WPLG Local 10 – Main Feed

Researchers at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory have launched 'Fat Marmot Week' to raise $200,000 in private donations following federal funding cuts that reduced their graduate student staff by one-third. The online contest, modeled after 'Fat Bear Week,' aims to sustain a 62-year-old study on yellow-bellied marmots that has been threatened by recent population declines linked to poor snowpack.

Climate ChangeWildlife ConservationScientific ResearchFundraisingMarmots
Read the full story at WPLG Local 10 – Main Feed

Why It Matters

The survival of this long-running research project depends on public donations to replace lost federal funding, which is necessary to continue monitoring how climate-driven changes affect local ecosystems and regional water supplies.

Key Facts

Each fact below is taken from the article. Click one to see the exact passage.

Who's Mentioned

OrganizationUCLA“University partner conducting the marmot research.”OrganizationRocky Mountain Biological Laboratory“Host of the long-running marmot study in Gothic, Colorado.”OrganizationUniversity of Ottawa“University partner conducting the marmot research.”PersonDan Blumstein“Leader of the marmot research project at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laborator”other$OnlyMarms“Meme coin created to donate transaction fees to the research program.”OrganizationOnlyFans“Platform used by researchers to post marmot videos for engagement.”PersonKatie Adler“UCLA doctoral student studying marmot behavior.”PersonEmily Renkey“Master's program student at UCLA studying marmot behavior.”