Threat alert 'Mega-violent' marmots face deadliest fight yet - to survive as a species
The Guardian|September 30, 2023
Ecologist Christophe Bonenfant strides down the mountain, a metal cage strapped to his back. Inside, a hessian bag twitches and squirms
Megan Clement
Threat alert 'Mega-violent' marmots face deadliest fight yet - to survive as a species

His cargo is 4kg (9lb) of alpine marmot, a mountain rodent admired by hikers and immortalised by Goethe and Beethoven.

The creature's cuddly reputation, however, belies a vicious reality. The life of an alpine marmot is a never-ending battle for dominance. They are, Bonenfant's colleague Rébecca Garcia says, "mega-violent". And now the climate crisis is making their fight for survival in the Alps more deadly than ever.

In a tiny lab in a chalet near the French-Italian border, Garcia, the site's technician, waits for Bonenfant. They have 30 minutes to bring the marmot down from the mountain, anaesthetise it, measure it, take samples of blood, hair and droppings, revive it and return it to the site where it was captured - all while avoiding a set of teeth capable of severing a human finger.

The clock is ticking: a marmot can lose its territory in under an hour.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 30, 2023-Ausgabe von The Guardian.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 30, 2023-Ausgabe von The Guardian.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS THE GUARDIANAlle anzeigen
The Guardian

The Filter Cast-iron alternatives to Le Creuset for less

Le Creuset's colourful pans have long topped the wishlists of amateur and professional cooks.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 16, 2024
Money hacks How to find a pet-sitter you can trust
The Guardian

Money hacks How to find a pet-sitter you can trust

Unless you have family, a friend or a neighbour who can care for your pet when you're away, you'll need to find a pet-sitter you can trust.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 16, 2024
Pensions An A to Z of how to save for your retirement
The Guardian

Pensions An A to Z of how to save for your retirement

Everything you need to know to plan for your future and make the most of your finances. Rupert Jones and Hilary Osborne report

time-read
9 Minuten  |
November 16, 2024
'A fork in the road' AI's bid to help on laundry days at Europe's tech summit
The Guardian

'A fork in the road' AI's bid to help on laundry days at Europe's tech summit

This year's Web Summit in Lisbon was all about artificial intelligence and a robot sorting laundry.

time-read
5 Minuten  |
November 16, 2024
Brexit So how could Labour improve EU ties for the sake of growth?
The Guardian

Brexit So how could Labour improve EU ties for the sake of growth?

The Bank of England governor, Andrew Bailey, said this week that Brexit had undermined the UK's economy, and urged the government to improve relations with the EU for the sake of growth.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 16, 2024
Aviation Flying taxis: destined never to take off?
The Guardian

Aviation Flying taxis: destined never to take off?

In a dreary November day in the Cotswolds, the VX4 - a cross between a plane and a helicopter - rose from an airport runway, hovered a few feet off the ground and set back down.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 16, 2024
Property firm back in profit as workers return to offices
The Guardian

Property firm back in profit as workers return to offices

One of Britain's biggest property developers has provided further evidence of the return to office working, saying occupancy in its central London offices is at an all-time high and the value of its portfolio has returned to growth.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 16, 2024
The Guardian

Analysis Summer of dark warnings from the Treasury may have cast a shadow on growth

It was hardly surprising that the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, declared herself \"not satisfied\" with the news that the UK's GDP expanded by a measly 0.1% in the three months to September.

time-read
1 min  |
November 16, 2024
The Guardian

Contracting GDP adds to German woes as general election looms

Germany's looming general election will be fought against the backdrop of a stagnating economy, the European Commission has forecast, with GDP expected to have contracted in 2024.

time-read
1 min  |
November 16, 2024
UK economy slows amid jitters over Labour budget
The Guardian

UK economy slows amid jitters over Labour budget

The UK economy slowed to a near-standstill in the third quarter as uncertainty around Labour's first budget and high interest rates weighed on business and consumer spending.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 16, 2024