A video circulating online has shown a seemingly panicked and frenzied marmot, a sight that might resonate with many people hard at work, finding it somewhat helpless and comical. However, the cries of the marmot in the video are synthetically produced; real marmot cries are much shriller.
The term “marmot” generally refers to ground squirrels, which belong to the squirrel family and genus Marmota. There are about 15 species distributed globally, with four species found in China, especially in the grasslands of Inner Mongolia and the Tibetan Plateau.
Marmots are a type of burrowing animal that dig tunnels in the grasslands, creating complex underground habitats. As a keystone species in the ecosystem, they are a food source for many predators and play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the food chain. In 2019, Chinese photographer Yongqing Bao’s work “The Moment” won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year award in Britain and featured a marmot.
While marmots may look cute and adorably clumsy, it is important to keep a distance when encountering them in the wild, avoiding contact, feeding, or hunting, as they can be vectors of disease. In 2019, a plague outbreak in Mongolia traced back to a couple who caught and consumed a marmot and subsequently died of infection. The Mongolian government took the outbreak seriously, quickly quarantining all those who had contact with the victims.
The plague is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis and comes in three forms: bubonic, pneumonic, and septicemic. It is among the highest-level infectious diseases in terms of biosecurity and has wreaked havoc throughout history as the Black Death, particularly during the 14th century in Europe.
The plague can cause severe illness in humans, especially pneumonic and septicemic plagues. Without treatment, these diseases can have a mortality rate near 100 percent. The plague has caused at least three pandemics in history, each time taking countless lives and profoundly impacting societies. However, modern medical advancements have allowed humans to control the outbreak to some extent.
Despite modern medical interventions, the plague remains hard to eradicate, partly due to its versatile vectors. It is often spread by bites from infected fleas, with wild rodents serving as the primary host for the plague. These animals include common rats, gerbils, voles, wild rabbits, squirrels, and even the seemingly gentle marmots. In fact, there have been cases where human contact with marmots has led to plague outbreaks.
For example, a major pneumonic plague epidemic erupted in 1910 in Northeast China due to people consuming marmots. The epidemic was catastrophic, affecting half of China. Fortunately, Dr. Wu Lien-teh’s outstanding leadership and scientific prevention measures effectively controlled the outbreak and helped establish China’s modern medical system.
Marmots are peculiar because they have more physiological and disease expression similarities with humans. For instance, marmots also suffer from obesity, vascular diseases, and tumors, as well as infections from Brucella, Erysipelothrix, and intestinal parasites—all common in humans. Due to these similarities, marmots are frequently used as experimental animals in scientific research. However, this also means that encountering marmots in the wild may increase the risk of contracting various diseases.
Rodents, especially marmots, can pose the risk of tetanus and rabies infections if they bite humans. Despite their cute appearance, we must be wary of their strong and powerful incisors.
In fact, getting too close to any wildlife carries risks, both for ourselves and the animals themselves. Acts of “kindness” based on misunderstanding can sometimes harm wildlife, and are also irresponsible to ourselves. The wisest course of action when encountering wildlife is to keep a distance, avoiding unnecessary contact and disturbance.
The importance of protecting the natural environment is increasingly evident, and as part of this Earth, we bear an inescapable responsibility. A more noble action is to do everything we can to maintain the natural habitats of wildlife, rather than hunting and hoarding them for selfish desires. We should consciously avoid capturing, purchasing, domesticating, or consuming any wild animals.
When it comes to environmental protection, the actions of every individual are extremely important. When each of us starts with ourselves, not hurting or interfering with the natural lifestyles of wildlife, they can leap freely in the vast oceans and soar in the expansive skies. Let us make a joint commitment: to respect nature and cherish every life, because it matters not only to their well-being but also to the future of humanity.