Researchers at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory hold an inaugural “Fat Marmot Week” contest to track how well marmots gain weight ahead of a long winter. Organizers say Dawn is crowned champion after public voting and related competition results.
According to outlets, the contest features eight yellow-bellied marmots that are monitored as they fatten up. The project, which organizers describe as a decades-long effort, uses public engagement to support the work; one report says researchers turned to OnlyFans as part of that outreach. NPR and The Guardian both report Dawn wins the contest through popular vote, with The Guardian adding that Dawn also secures top results in a mass-gain component. The accounts align on the outcome and the contest’s general purpose, while differing slightly on additional details about how Dawn wins and what engagement channels are used.
