Photo Book: Vancouver Island Marmot, The World's Rarest Marmot
Photo Book: Vancouver Island Marmot, The World's Rarest Marmot
Unique photography book about the Vancouver Island marmot, British Columbia’s sole endemic mammal species and the most endangered mammal in Canada. Learn about the conservation efforts undertaken to save this amazing species from extinction through the words of dedicated experts and with stunning images by wildlife photographer Catherine Babault.
Take a look inside the photo book!
The Vancouver Island marmot lives in the subalpine meadows of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, and nowhere else in the world. It is British Columbia’s sole endemic mammal species and the most endangered mammal in Canada. The marmot is listed as a Critically Endangered species by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
A team of dedicated experts has been working tirelessly to save this marmot from extinction, increasing the wild population from less than 30 in 2003 to 250 in 2022. In this book, experts from the Marmot Recovery Foundation, the Toronto and Calgary zoos, and Vancouver Island University share their experience with the recovery efforts and their hope for the future.
Nature photographer Catherine Babault always had a keen interest in nature and came to learn of the existence of the Vancouver Island marmot when she moved to the Island. This prompted her to document the marmot’s circumstances through photography in the hopes of raising awareness about its plight. Through research, patience and dedication, she was able to obtain rarely-seen images of the marmot behaviour such as a pup coming out of its burrow presumably for the first time, pups play-fighting, and an adult collecting dry grass for bedding. You will find these stunning images and many more in the book.
If you are interested in helping with the conservation efforts, please visit the Vancouver Island Marmot Recovery Foundation, the Toronto Zoo and the Calgary Zoo.
PRODUCT DETAILS
Softcover: 114 pages - 89 photographs
Product dimension: 10 x 8 in.
Language: English
Publisher: Why Not Publishing
Printed in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
ISBN: 978-1-7772094-1-4
Release date: December 2022
The book can be purchased on this website and at the Museum at Campbell River, the Strathcona Wilderness Centre at Mount Washington, the gift shop at Nanaimo Museum, and Vancouver Island University Campus store in Nanaimo.
Book Review - Vancouver Sun
Capturing the Vancouver Island Marmot’s remarkable recovery - Tom Sandborn, Vancouver Sun (March 18, 2023)
‘‘…Like Babault’s earlier book, this work is a feast for the eyes. The close-up images of marmots in the wild are charming, and the author’s keen artist’s eye has captured images of the steep mountain ridges, meadows and screes where the elusive rodents live that are delicate and colourful, evoking in their often fog-softened, flower-dotted beauty the works of the French Impressionists.’’ Read more…
Readers’ Reviews
‘’The book is beautiful and I think it’s a great tribute to the marmot. I’m proud to be part of this (…)’’ Dr Jamie Gorrell, Vancouver Island University. Contributor to the book.
‘‘As a supporter of the Marmot Recovery Foundation and a huge fan of nature conservation, your book showcased the beauty of the land, the efforts of those dedicated to this species, and most of all, an album of marmots. The photos are fantastic. The care and patience that you exercised are noble. The book is a treasure. I appreciate that each of the contributors has a voice in their role for the recovery endeavour.’’ Isabelle
‘‘Good luck with the sales of your informative story on the Vancouver Island Marmot! (…) A success story and example of how endangered species can survive, to tell the world! Well done!’’ Peter
‘‘I looked at the book quickly and of course the pictures are great, but I also really appreciate all the written information and your thoughts on these cute little furry animals. Let's hope they now are here for good, on the Island, their home.’’ JC
‘’I am so delighted because my marmot book collection throve with this pearl. This marmot is very rare and their population has been in danger so I appreciate Catherine Babault's all efforts to have made this gorgeous book. A thank you to her is the simplest word for everything.’’ Steven
MEDIA COVERAGE
Interviews in English
The Goat, 9 December 2022
CHEK News, 17 December 2022
West Coast Traveller, 19 December 2022
Comox Valley Record, 21 December 2022
Rohit Joseph, All Points West, CBC, 21 December 2022
Nanaimo Magazine, January 2023
SHAW TV, Spotlight, March 2023
Margaret Gallagher, North by Northwest, CBC, 8 April 2023
CV Collective Magazine, Vol. 34, Summer 2023
Interviews in French
Élodie Crézé, À l’ombre des arbousiers, Radio Victoria, 15 December 2022. It starts at the 46:30 mark.
Mireille Langlois, Culture et confiture, CBC Radio-Canada, 17 December 2022
Marie Villeneuve, Phare Ouest, CBC Radio-Canada, 21 December 2022
Julie Carpentier, Téléjournal Colombie-Britannique, Radio-Canada, 21 December 2022
The Vancouver Island Marmot photographed by award-winning Canadian photographer Catherine Babault
BOOK PRESENTATIONS
Contact Catherine to schedule a book signing or presentation at your school, organization, association or library. All presentations are tailored to the needs of the group. They can be given in person or online, in English or French. Contact Catherine for rates and availability.
’’Catherine is an excellent presenter capable of adapting to different audiences. Her passion for ethical photography of fauna and flora on Vancouver Island shines through her work.’’ Sonje
SHIPPING & DELIVERY
We ship worldwide. Shipping fee includes Canada Post shipping rate, transaction fee and packaging material. For free delivery or pickup in the Comox Valley, please use discount code COMOXVALLEYFS at check-out.
