Hi! I’m Conner Philson and this is my third year studying the marmots here at RMBL! I’ve spent quite a few hours looking at marmots over the past three years. I’ve seen marmots duel for territory, fend off foxes, and just chill out on rocks. However, I never saw a marmot get chased down by a coyote at full speed before – until last week…
Coffee Bean was a beautiful yearling marmot (meaning they were born last year). Coffee Bean roamed one of the northern most areas we study – far up the East River Valley. While an adventurous and interactive marmot, Coffee Bean sadly could not outrun a coyote that spent this faithful morning stalking marmots from the trees. As the coyote bolted out of the trees and made chaise of Coffee Bean, they both headed for the nearby burrow – a marmot’s protection from predators. However, poor Coffee Bean missed the burrow by only a matter of feet by the time the coyote caught up - but as goes the circle of life. It was a beautiful and gruesome moment, but what describes nature better than that. I’m excited for what else this season will bring!
