Weighing in a little more than 3 pounds, the Little Penguin is the smallest species of penguin and is found on the coasts of Australia and New Zealand. With their small stature and distinct blue hue, Little Penguins become an attraction in Australia where curious tourists can view the animals in their natural habitat.
Unfortunately, being small and cute has its disadvantages and Little Penguins are defenseless against non-native terrestrial predators like foxes and feral dogs and cats. As a result, Little Penguin populations have suffered devastating losses.
Some Colonies have been reduced by 98% from over-predation. This past June a dog or fox was believed to be responsible for the deaths of 26 Little Penguins in the Manly Sea Life Sanctuary over the course of a week and half. Just a month ago in November, a fox killed 14 Little Penguins after entering their enclosure at the Melbourne Zoo.
However, one Little Penguin colony has managed to thrive through a surprising partnership.
In 2001, Middle Island in Western Australia was home to over 600 Little Penguins. As invasive predators gained access to the island, the colony was decimated. In a single overnight incident in October 2004, foxes killed 180 of the Middle Island penguins in what was described as a "massacre" by local papers. By 2005 fewer than 10 remained.
Upon hearing about the killing spree in 2004, Mr. Marsh, a chicken farmer from nearby Warranambool remarked, "all they need is a couple of [Maremma] dogs on that island."
Big, fluffy, and gentle, Maremma Sheepdogs can be traced back over 2,000 years to Italy where they were bred for their unique social behavior.
During a critical period of socialization, Maremma puppies bond to livestock they're introduced to and identify them as part of their pack. Unlike most herding dogs that use physical aggression to manage livestock, Maremmas are integrated with the animals they are trained to look after and fiercely defend them from predators.
Inspired by this insight, David Williams, a university student working on Mr. Marsh's farm, proposed that a Maremma Sheep dog be placed on Middle Island to save them from complete annihilation.
In 2006, a Maremma Sheepdog and "experienced chicken guardian" named Oddball was chosen for deployment to Middle Island to protect the Little Penguins from predators.
Long story short, it's been a monumental success. Since Oddball's debut on Middle Island, not a single Little Penguin has been lost to foxes and the population has rebounded to over 150.
Oddball's successors, Eudy and Tula continue to watch over the colony of Middle Island. Currently, local groups are fundraising money to purchase and train two more Maremma puppies to continue her legacy.
Conservationists are even hoping to apply the Maremma Sheepdog preservation model to other species threatened by non-native predators.
And even though she has retired from guard duties, you can watch Oddball's inspirational story in the recently released motion picture, Oddball.
Thank you Maremma Sheepdogs for helping keep Little Penguins in the world!
Read more about Middle Island's Little Penguins and their Maremma Sheepdog Guardians here.
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