A biologist studying yellow-bellied marmots has turned to the adult platform OnlyFans to secure funding for a long-running research project facing financial challenges.
Dr. Daniel Blumstein, a Colorado-based biologist and head of a field study on marmots that has been active for over 60 years, created an account on OnlyFans to post "uncensored marmot content" in an effort to combat a decline in federal funding to universities.
This initiative, dubbed "OnlyMarms," features family-friendly videos of the rodents, such as them emerging from burrows and scurrying around. So far, the account has generated more than $5,000, with approximately $4,000 expected to go to the UCLA-affiliated Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory after the platform takes its share.
The Marmot Project, which has been ongoing for more than six decades, is recognized as the second-longest study of individually identified mammals globally, following Jane Goodall's chimpanzee study in Tanzania. The research focuses on the yellow-bellied marmot, a species not currently listed as threatened or endangered, providing scientists with insights into the factors influencing population dynamics.
Blumstein expressed concern about the project's financial future due to the inability to secure federal support, despite the effectiveness of long-term studies. While the funds raised through OnlyFans may not be sufficient to fully offset potential spending cuts, Blumstein believes the platform also serves an important role in raising awareness about their work.
The idea for the OnlyFans account reportedly stemmed from Blumstein watching a television show where a character used the platform to support herself. He then humorously applied the concept to his research subjects, thinking, "Marmots' got money troubles." He collaborated with his lab students, who helped establish the account and devise the name. An initial hurdle involved identity verification, where the platform flagged that his driver's license photo did not match the profile picture of a marmot, which was resolved through communication.