Marmot named Dawn wins inaugural Fat Marmot Week with record weight
A yellow-bellied marmot named Dawn won the first Fat Marmot Week contest, weighing about 6kg. The event drew over 23,000 votes and was part of a fundraising effort that has raised more than $100,000 for a long-running research project in Colorado.
Dawn, a six-year-old yellow-bellied marmot, tipped the scales at roughly 6kg (13.2lb) during the competition, a figure researchers described as among the heaviest ever recorded for the species. The contest featured eight marmots, each tracked as they nearly doubled their body weight in preparation for a five-month hibernation, during which they can lose up to half their mass. The event drew over 23,000 votes between 24 and 29 August, with organizers promising a repeat in 2027.
The fundraiser emerged after federal science funding cuts threatened a study running since 1962 at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Colorado. Beyond the OnlyFans account, which showcased marmot videos and photos, supporters also generated revenue through outside donations and a marmot-themed cryptocurrency. Combined, these efforts have raised more than $100,000 to sustain the long-term research project.
This contest could shift public engagement with wildlife conservation by making scientific research more accessible and relatable, potentially attracting younger or non-traditional donors. The success of a playful, vote-based format may inspire similar fundraising models for other underfunded long-term ecological studies. However, it also raises questions about whether such gamified approaches can sustain serious financial support over time, or if they risk trivializing the underlying threats to species and habitats.