The B.C. government is putting its money where the marmot is.
A recovery fund for the Vancouver Island Marmot, once pushed to the brink of extinction, will receive more than $200,000 over the next two years.
The province is providing $135,000 while Island Timberlands and TimberWest make up the rest.
The money will be used to hire additional field staff who will collect data on the marmots this summer.
The Vancouver Island Marmot was dangerously close to coming extinct in 1998, when there were as few as 70 left in the world.
Populations have recently bounced back with between 215 and 275 counted last year – but experts say the animals are still at risk.
Along with the funding announcement, five captive-bred marmots were released Friday on Mount Washington.
