Give these peaceful creatures a second chance
Menzbier’s marmots are utterly adorable little animals that inhabit the mountains of Central Asia, at high altitudes of over 2,200 metres.
For centuries they lived peacefully, thriving in the solitude of this remote region.
But in the 20th century, their populations were decimated by habitat loss and hunting as rapid human expansion took hold of the region.
Fauna & Flora has helped to establish protective measures in key strongholds for these wonderful creatures, which have seen their numbers begin to rise.
But we cannot let down our guard, or we could see Menzbier’s marmot fall back towards oblivion.
So please, donate now and help save Menzbier’s marmot.
£95
could buy a drone to enable teams to monitor vast areas of the marmot’s mountainous habitat and detect any rising threats.
Using modern technologies, like GPS, helps to monitor species. IPTC - Credit © Juan Pablo Moreiras / Fauna & Flora International
£45
could pay for GPS devices, allowing teams to effectively map out their routes when planning patrols and population surveys.
£30
could buy a camera trap for the team to place in the field to monitor marmots in their natural habitat.
£10
could help fuel a motorbike, allowing the team to respond swiftly to signs of marmots in danger.
Why are Menzbier’s marmots under threat?
Menzbier’s marmots’ dramatic decline in the 20th century was primarily driven by rapid human expansion. They are very sensitive creatures that love silence, so once disturbance began to rise, their numbers were slashed.
The increased presence of people also brought about an increase in livestock grazing, which has left marmots with less and less suitable habitat, forcing them up to higher altitudes.
Sadly, marmots are also occasionally hunted as a food source. Together, these threats have led to thousands of marmots being lost, leaving the population extremely vulnerable.
The marmot's high-altitude habitat makes their monitoring and protection incredibly tough. It's why reliable equipment such as modern camera traps is so important.
How is Fauna & Flora helping Menzbier’s marmots?
The Fauna & Flora team in Kyrgyzstan has been working tirelessly to help save Menzbier’s marmot, following this innocent animal’s devastating decline.
They have diligently studied this creature and developed a vital action plan designed to identify key threats to the marmot and ensure they do not begin to decline once again, including population monitoring and raising the awareness of local people about the importance of conserving them.
But to ensure that these marmots can have a future, we need the resources to enable us to enact this plan. We need to make sure our dedicated team has the equipment it needs to keep the threats to marmots at bay.
How can I help save Menzbier’s marmots?
Your support could get essential equipment like camera traps and drones into the field, allowing us to carefully monitor the marmot population and ensure their mountain home remains a safe haven for this special species.
Local heroes would move mountains to protect the nature they grew up so close to. With your help, we can give them the tools they need.
Why Fauna & Flora?
Fauna & Flora has been working in Kyrgyzstan since 1997, and over the years we have been involved in boosting conservation measures for a range of threatened species, including the snow leopard.
The legacy of this work is clear. There is evidence that snow leopards are increasing in Sarychat-Ertash Nature Reserve thanks to our work with partners to build the capacity of park rangers and improve research and monitoring.
That’s why we’re sure that – with your help – we can give marmots a second chance.
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