In the remote and volatile landscape of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, a race against time unfolded as scientists completed their annual census of a unique marmot colony just days before a nearby volcano erupted. Researchers in the Kronotsky Nature Reserve finished their count of black-capped marmots living in the caldera of the Krasheninnikov volcano shortly before its eruption on August 3, raising urgent questions about the animals’ survival.
The scientific expedition was a strenuous undertaking, involving a 50-kilometer trek through rugged mountain terrain to reach the marmots’ habitat at an altitude of roughly 1,000 meters. To spot the reclusive rodents, researchers had to scale lava rock formations, locally known as ‘kekury,’ and scan the vast landscape with binoculars. Their task was aided by a unique ecological sign: the marmots’ burrows are often surrounded by lush thickets of bright pink fireweed, a plant that flourishes in the soil fertilized by the animals’ waste, creating a natural beacon for observers.
The findings from this year’s count paint a grim picture for the highly-studied colony. Only 20 individuals were recorded, a significant drop from 26 in 2023 and 23 in 2022. This continues a stark downward trend from a population of 54 marmots in 2011 and a thriving community of over 200 in the 1990s, highlighting a severe and accelerating decline.
Experts point to a combination of threatening factors. Milder, low-snow winters, a potential consequence of climate change, leave the marmots’ burrows poorly insulated, reducing their chances of surviving hibernation. The population also faces intense pressure from predators, particularly bears, which are known to excavate the burrows to hunt the rodents. These challenges are compounded by the inherent risk of living in one of the world’s most geologically active regions, where natural cataclysms are a constant threat.
The full impact of the recent eruption on the fragile marmot colony remains unknown. While officials noted that no heavy ashfall was recorded directly over their territory, the long-term consequences are yet to be determined. The world will have to wait for the next census, scheduled for 2026, to learn the fate of the marmots living in the shadow of the Krasheninnikov volcano.