Despite his swanky surroundings, Roger the invasive marmot wasn’t expected to survive long after hitchhiking to Victoria.
Imagined adventures of the yellow-bellied marmot that famously lives near the Fairmont Empress Hotel are the subject of local author Kathleen Lynch’s new children’ book – The Legend of Roger the Marmot: A Tourist Who Stayed.
Most believe Roger arrived in Victoria in 2008 as a stowaway in a delivery van.
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The species is not native to Vancouver Island and it was decided he should be deported to be with others of his species. Despite several trapping missions, Roger remains at large.
Since Roger, named for one of the hotel’s former managers, couldn’t be enticed by peanut butter traps, he’s become a favourite of hotel guests and employees alike.
The Legend of Roger the Marmot: A Tourist Who Stayed, is an illustrated poem available at Bolen Books and Victoria Art Gallery gift shop.
RELATED: A colony of one
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Do you have a story tip? Email: c.vanreeuwyk@blackpress.ca.
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