Warrnambool's beloved penguins are returning to Middle Island with numbers on the rise after a devastating fox attack in 2017 almost wiped out the colony.
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A Warrnambool City Council report showed there was an estimated 63 penguins on the island over the breeding season, a large increase from 14 after the horrific slaughter two years ago.
Maremmas Eudy and Tula are used to deter predators, such as foxes, from coming to the island and killing the penguins. Monitoring of the penguin population is undertaken to assess the health of the penguin colony.
Maremma project coordinator Tom Stanfield said the initiative had environmental and economic benefits for the city.
"The work the dogs do on the island is amazing for conservation and tourism in Warrnambool," he said.
"It has bought a lot of people here to see the project and what we do."
The project is overseen by the Middle Island Project Working Group and implemented in conjunction with Warrnambool City Council and the Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Network.
The estimated arriving population for the penguin breeding season in 2017-2018 was about 63 individuals.
Two new puppies have joined the project and are currently being trained to learn the guardian dog role.
The Middle Island Project celebrated 10 years of the ‘Warrnambool method’ for the conservation of the little penguin in 2018.
A council report says it "continues to receive ongoing community support and partnerships to protect the little penguins".
"The revised tour format has been successful as it reaches a larger audience, can be run more often, poses less risk to staff and participants and provides an experience that includes education about the project and an opportunity to interact with a Maremma dog," the report said.
The report said the 2017-18 financial year had seen the highest expenditure for the project to date.
"Our operating expenses have exceeded our income and we have relied on the substantial carry forward from the previous year ($48,627.85) and financial support from Warrnambool City Council to remain solvent," it said.
"The reasons for the high costs include care and training of six maremma dogs and one off expenses for tour development and vet expenses."
Rachael Houlihan
Deputy editor at The Standard. Former Warrnambool City Council and general news reporter. Send me news tips: rhoulihan@warrnamboolstandard.com.au
Deputy editor at The Standard. Former Warrnambool City Council and general news reporter. Send me news tips: rhoulihan@warrnamboolstandard.com.au
