Program is working, why cut marmot cash?

If the province doesn't change its decision to cut funding to protect the Vancouver Island marmot, there may be very few around when Mukmuk, the mascot for the 2010 Games, steps into the spotlight.

The Marmot Recovery Foundation is battling a $133,000 shortfall following a decision by the Ministry of Environment to cut its annual funding.

No reason was given for the cut. Usually, the funds come from a three-way division that sees TimberWest, Island Timberlands and the provincial government chipping in $400,000 of their annual budget of $750,000. The rest usually came from private donors.

This is another example of the province failing to support a program with proven success.

When the foundation was first established six years ago, researchers estimated there could be as few as 75 animals, 25 of which were left in the wild on Vancouver Island. That is a significant drop from a high of about 300 in the mid-1980s.

Luckily, the foundation's goal of rescuing the marmot from extinction is working. By the end of last year, it was believed that number had more than doubled to 60. The hope is that by 2010, when Mukmuk makes his Olympic debut, the wild population will have climbed to 200.

The problem is, that is only one-third of the number needed for the little rodents to maintain their own population. That means cuts to this program have come too soon.

It is ironic that in February 2008, the marmot program received top honours in the partnership category at the Premier's Awards of Excellence and Innovation. It was recognized for "building a unique partnership between the provincial and federal governments, the forest industry, public zoos, private recovery facilities, universities and the public."

Now the very same government has decided to pull out of that partnership by cutting the foundation's annual funding from the 2009-10 budget.

Although it is unclear what will happen with provincial funding, one thing is clear: If the foundation's provincial funding is cut, the marmot recovery program will suffer.

Many programs can be put on hold during economic recessions or downturns. Ones that involve creatures are not so lucky. One breeding season without support could set the whole project back a few years.

What is next? Will the province cut its funding for salmon enhancements? That's unlikely given the fact that the salmon industry brings in an enormous amount of money to the province.

Perhaps the marmot would be better off if it contributed to the economy of this province.

The fact is some things deserve to be saved for no other reason than that they are an integral part of Vancouver Island.

It is unlikely there will ever be a commercial marmot hunt, but these rodents deserve to be protected, recession or no recession. Hopefully, when all the numbers are crunched, B.C.'s Liberals will see the importance of protecting B.C.'s most endangered animals.

If they don't, hopefully the foundation will find another way to overcome their shortfall so that they can continue to fight for the marmots.

Alberni Valley Times