Australia Uses Maremma Dogs to Save the World’s Smallest Penguin Groups

Off the coast of Warrnambool city in Australia lies Middle Island, a sanctuary for a unique resident population facing a significant challenge. This small island is home to the little penguin, also known as the fairy penguin, which holds the distinction of being the world’s smallest penguin, standing a mere 35 centimeters tall. Thanks to a unique conservation project, the little penguin population on Middle Island rebounded with safer conditions.

The Unavoidable Threat

Starting in 1991, changes in sedimentation and tidal patterns created a temporary causeway, providing foxes from the mainland access to Middle Island during certain times of the year. The ground-nesting little penguin groups became easy targets for these predators, resulting in a devastating decline in their population across the area.

The Unlikely Hero

Enter Swampy Marsh, a local chicken farmer with no formal background in conservation. Marsh had extensive experience in outfoxing foxes while protecting his own free-range chicken flock using Maremma dogs, large white pooches known for their protective instincts. Recognizing the vulnerability of the little penguin community to foxes, Marsh brilliantly proposed using the same protection scheme on Middle Island.

The Conservation Project

Despite the prohibition of dogs on Middle Island, the dire situation faced by the little penguin community convinced the Warrnambool city council to give Marsh’s idea a chance. Marsh arrived on the island with his dog Oddball, and their success was immediate and sustained. The presence of the Maremma dog changed the foxes’ access pattern to the island, allowing the penguin population to thrive once again. This achievement led to the ‘Middle Island Project,’ dedicated to breeding and utilizing Maremma dogs to protect Middle Island’s little penguin community. These remarkable dogs do not directly confront the foxes but rather patrol the island in pairs, barking to scare away the predators. Conservationists ensure that the dogs receive necessary breaks and have access to essential provisions.