@Ciderhelm
Haven't listen to your latest podcast yet, but have notice an off topic fascination with marmots. I live at the base of Mt. Washington on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, where we have a strugling colony of marmots. The Vancouver Island Marmot is actually Canada's most endangered species.
Mt. Washington also hosts a top notch skiing, every year the ski facility closes down regardless of skiing conditions due to Marmot breeding season. I believe at last report there were only 30 some animals in the wild. I know that 4 or 6 animals where released from the breeding facility last year or the year before. Unfortunately a cougar managed to get them, but the breeding program has become somewhat successful and the researchers are hopeful to release some more.
The local elementary school where my kids attend provide some educational awareness of these marmots and thetyalso get the children involved in some fund raising.
Some links for those that are interested.
Vancouver Island marmot - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Vancouver Island Marmot - Canada's Most Endangered Species
This link allows the purchase of a plush marmot doll, a portion of the proceeds to help fund raising for the marmot recovery program,
The Vancouver Island Marmot - Plush