Funding cuts recently threatened a long-running marmot research project. Scientists from The Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Colorado have spent over 50 years monitoring yellow-bellied marmots. Their research provided data that has helped researchers worldwide to better understand these adorable rodents. Unfortunately, funding cuts from the Trump administration defunded many environmental research programs. In order to keep their marmot research going, the scientists launched an OnlyFans account for their portly pals. Called “OnlyMarms“, its goal is to fundraise enough to keep this vital research going.
A Safe-For-Work Appreciation Page for Marmots
Researcher Daniel Blumstein got the idea for the site after watching the Apple TV comedy Margo’s Got Money Troubles. Apparently in that series, the main character turns to digital sex work to solve her financial issues. When he thought about all the “hysterical” videos his fellow scientists have of the corpulent rodents they study, he had an epiphany:
“Why don’t we share them … and maybe people will give us tips?”
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These Full-Figured Rodents are Drawing Crowds
Unsurprisingly, people are flocking to check out the marmots’ antics. The OnlyMarms account was launched in June, and has already raised over $4,000 USD. Subscribers can spend as much time as they like watching these chubby sweethearts being ridiculous as they eat snacks, chase each other, and lounge in the sunshine.
If you feel like having a laugh, you can check out the magnificent marmots on their safe-for-work page here:
OnlyMarms
Alternatively, if you’d like to skip the website but would still like to help fund marmot research, you can donate directly to the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UCLA. Just make sure you specific it’s for the marmots.
Featured photo by J Michael Peck on Unsplash