A local chicken farmer, Swampy Marsh, suggested Maremma guardian dogs could be used to protect the penguins. Swampy had successfully used Maremmas to help protect his free range chickens.
In a world-first, Maremma dogs were trained and placed on Middle Island to protect the penguins from foxes during the breeding season. The project has been a huge success, with no evidence of fox attacks since the beginning of the Project and a steady increase in penguin colony size to an estimated 180 penguins in 2013.
Middle Island has been closed to the public since 2006 to protect penguin burrows...
Get Involved
How you can help the Penguins
The groups involved in the Middle Island Conservation Project welcome support.
If you want to come and visit the home of the Maremmas and Middle Island Visit Warrnambool
Donate with Paypal
Merchandise
Take a look at the range of products you can purchase with all proceeds going directly to the care of the projects maremma guardian dogs. Click here
Become a Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Penguin Monitoring Volunteer
Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Group operates the annual penguin counts and health checks on Middle Island. The group is always ready to welcome new members and encourages the building of a balanced biodiverse environment around Warrnambool.
Contact:
Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Group
0431 057 741
Coastcare Landcare Facebook Page
Education Programs
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village operates education programs based on the Middle Island Maremma Project. These programs are linked to the Australian Curriculum (AUSVELS) and can be customised to suit your school group class. CLICK HERE to go to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village.
Virtual Excursions Coming Soon
Yes we are designing Meet the Maremma sessions that will be conducted through Video Conferencing Systems. This will allow schools from around the world to learn about our unique project and how they can look at their own community to improve their environment. To Register your interest in a Virtual Excursion please contact Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village Education Officer fshreception@warrnambool.vic.gov.au - +61 03 5559 4600.
Media Queries
Please Contact - David McMahon - dmcmahon@warrnambool.vic.gov.au or Call 03 5559 4600
Join the Oddball Club
You can stay up to date with all the Middle Island News as well as updates on the release of the new Australian Movie Oddball. Joing the Oddball Club Now.