Middle Island, a tiny island off the coast of Warrnambool city in Australia, is known for being home to a unique group of inhabitants—the smallest penguin species in the world, the little penguin. This species, standing at just 35 centimeters tall, had been threatened by foxes who could access the island during certain times of the year via a tidal causeway. However, an unlikely hero emerged to protect these vulnerable birds.
Swampy Marsh, a chicken farmer with no formal conservation training but ample experience protecting chickens from foxes, stepped up to safeguard these little penguins. Marsh employed his Maremma dogs, typically used as guardians for his chicken flock, to protect the penguins. He reasoned that the defenseless penguins could benefit from the same protection his chickens did.
In 2006, Marsh was granted permission by the Warrnambool city council to bring his dog Oddball to Middle Island to guard the penguins. The experiment was a success! The intimidating barks of these dogs were enough to deter any potential predators. This led to establishing The Middle Island Project, which bred Maremma dogs specifically to protect this area.
The first two Maremma dogs deployed on Middle Island were Eudy and Tula. From 2006 to 2017, no attack occurred on their watch while the penguin population grew from zero to 180 birds! These canine guardians don’t attack foxes; instead, they reside on the island and are cared for by conservationists who provide them with food, water, shade, and occasional companionship.
This remarkable story underscores the power of community efforts when everyone bands together for a common cause. It demonstrates that individuals can significantly contribute to conservation efforts even without formal training or background. Middle Island has become a shining example of what can be achieved when people work together towards a goal that is larger than themselves.
For a closer look at this inspiring story, check out the video below:
Leave a Comment