Vancouver Island marmot

Description

The Vancouver Woodchuck ( Marmota vancouverensis ) is a species of sciuromorphic rodent of the Sciuridae family endemic to the highest lands of Vancouver Island ( Canada ),easily distinguishable from other marmots by its long,thick dark brown coat,spattered of white spots.Currently there are only about a hundred individuals,which makes this marmot one of the rarest mammals.The current population is the result of a policy of captive breeding that has managed to triple the 30 wild specimens that survived in 2003.Its closest relative is the Whistling Whistler of northwestern North America.