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2026-07-26 17:33 UTC → 2026-07-28 19:44 UTC ·
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Researchers UCLA ecologist Daniel Blumstein and his team at the University of California, Los Angeles who run the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory’s long‑term yellow‑ground marmot study Laboratory, which has monitored yellow‑belly marmots in Crested Butte, Colorado have since 1962, turned to the subscription platform OnlyFans to offset steep severe federal research budget cuts. In late July 2026 they launched an account called “OnlyMarms,” announced on Instagram, and began posting free, G‑rated videos of the animals to attract subscriber donations digging nests, roaming rocky terrain, and interacting. Viewers can leave optional tips that are earmarked for field‑station consumables and operational costs. The initiative was highlighted in an Instagram announcement and later detailed in a profile of Professor Daniel Blumstein, noting that costs, though the platform, typically associated with adult content, researchers acknowledge the donations are unlikely to replace the lost federal support. During account setup, OnlyFans flagged his Blumstein’s driver’s‑license photo before for not matching a marmot; the issue was resolved via email. Funds collected The initiative highlights the growing financial strain on long‑term wildlife studies and the unconventional fundraising measures scientists are intended adopting to sustain the continuous marmot observations that have been ongoing since 1962. of marmot responses to environmental change.