You may have heard of the movie “Oddball”, about our Penguin protection dogs. These are specially trained dogs, often of the Maremma breed, that are used to guard penguin colonies from predators, particularly on islands or coastal regions where penguins are vulnerable. These dogs have been employed in places like Middle Island, in Warrnambool, where they protect the endangered Little Penguin (also known as the Fairy Penguin) population.
The idea behind using dogs for penguin protection is that they act as a deterrent to predators such as foxes, which pose a significant threat to penguins, especially during breeding seasons when the birds are most vulnerable. Maremma dogs are ideal for this task due to their natural guarding instincts, typically used to protect livestock. In the case of penguins, the dogs bond with the birds and patrol the area, keeping predators at bay without harming the penguins themselves.
This method of protection has proven effective in several areas, especially where traditional conservation efforts alone were insufficient to protect penguin populations. The story of Middle Island and its “penguin protection dogs” has garnered attention worldwide as an innovative approach to wildlife conservation.
You can learn more about this fascinating program, and these wonderful dogs by visiting the Middle Island Penguin Project website, or watch the movie ‘Oddball’ which tells the story of Warrnambool’s very first Penguin Protection dogs.
