Researchers at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL) are experimenting with an unconventional fundraising method, launching an OnlyFans page titled "OnlyMarms" to generate financial support for their ongoing study of yellow-bellied marmots.
The RMBL, located near Crested Butte, Colorado, has been studying the marmot species since 1962, accumulating 65 years of data. However, the program faces a challenging funding environment, prompting project leaders to explore new avenues.
"We're trying this out of frustration with an extremely challenging funding environment," Daniel Blumstein, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at UCLA, told LiveScience. He added that while the platform might help raise money for supplies and expenses, it is unlikely to replace federal funding that has historically supported scientific discovery in the U.S. since the 1950s.
The OnlyFans page offers content described as "uncensored marmot content," though Blumstein clarified that it primarily features G-rated footage of marmots engaged in typical behaviors such as playing, digging, and carrying plants. Occasional scuffles might elevate the content to PG-rated, he noted.
Emily Renkey, a first-year master's student in Blumstein's lab, is responsible for curating the content. She selects videos she believes will elicit positive reactions and uses footage to educate the public about marmot behavior.
Despite garnering media attention, the OnlyMarms page has so far raised only a few hundred dollars, sufficient for purchasing bait to help researchers study marmots up close. RMBL is also employing other fundraising strategies, including an event called Fat Marmot Week, which allows participants to vote for the fattest marmot near Crested Butte.