When This Island's Penguin Population Dropped From 2,000 To 4, They Sent Dogs In To Protect Them
March 11, 2021
On a small island near the Victorian coastal town of Warrnambool, livestock guardian dogs are hard at work protecting Little Penguins, the smallest of the penguin species.
Maremma being introduced to a penguin
Middle island is a dangerous place for little penguins. 30 years ago, it was home to thousands of penguins, but by the late 90's that number had halved and by 2005 there was only four birds left.
At low tide, Middle Island becomes accessible to an introduced species, the European red fox, with disastrous consequences. The foxes wreaked havoc on the island.
So, Allan Marsh, a local chicken farmer, suggested that Maremma sheep dogs could be used to protect the penguins.
"The whole idea was taking an off-the-wall type farming practice of having Maremmas protecting your livestock and transposing it here on an island where there was a penguin colony that was being constantly marauded by foxes," Marsh said.
Maremmas have been protecting herd animals for centuries. Unlike most herding breeds, Maremmas do not confront livestock but integrate with them, forming social bonds.
The Warrnambool City Council approved the idea and Marsh camped on the island with his Maremma, Oddball, for the first week during the month-long trial.
The trial was a huge success.
"It did exactly what I hoped it would do," said Marsh. "The presence of the dog kept foxes from going onto the island."
The project has been running ever since and the penguin population on the island continues to climb.
It is now estimated 180 Little Penguins are returning to Middle Island each breeding season.
"When the dogs have been on the island, there has been no foxes on the island. So we know the dogs work. It's fantastic," says Trish Corbett of the Middle Island Penguin Project.
Watch the video below.
Click Here For The Most Popular On Sunny Skyz
These Cat Reactions To Owners Calling Them Through Security Cameras Are Absolutely Hilarious
Teen Mom Shares The Note A Nurse Left for Her At 16 — Years Later, The Story Comes Full Circle
Peanut The Famous Turtle Is Turning 41 — And She’s Having A Party!
Taylor Swift’s High School Ex Had The Funniest Take On Her Engagement News
Real People Recall The Moments That Brought Them The Purest Joy
Yes, A Screaming Hairy Armadillo Exists — And He Just Moved To Mississippi
These Cat Reactions To Owners Calling Them Through Security Cameras Are Absolutely Hilarious
Baby Giraffe Gets The Zoomies And We Can't Get Enough
They Noticed A Stray Dog Staring At A Toy In The Claw Machine, So They Won It For Her
Kind Man Rescues Puppies, And The Mom’s Reaction Says It All
You Won’t Believe How Cute This Snow Leopard Cub Is On Her First Adventure