27 Dec, 2011
By PETER COLLINS
PENGUINS are flocking back to Warrnambool’s Middle Island with
the biggest influx since the population was almost wiped out by
predators six years ago.An estimated 190 little penguins have
arrived for the annual breeding season and at least 17 chicks and nine
eggs have been counted so far.
Maremma guardian dogs Eudy and Tula have also returned to the island to protect the colony from foxes and roaming dogs.
More than 600 penguins and short-tailed shearwaters once lived on Middle Island, near Warrnambool’s breakwater, but dog and fox raids reduced penguin numbers to less than 10 by 2005.
Warrnambool City Council and the local Coastcare Landcare group swung into action to help restore the population, with an award-winning Maremma dog project as the centrepiece.
City council officer Justin Harzmeyer said the dogs had been returning to the island every year since the first four-week trial in 2006.
He visits the island twice a day to feed and monitor the dogs.
“It puts our minds at ease knowing the Maremmas are back there watching over them,” he said.
Mr Harzmeyer said he was thrilled to see penguin numbers on the rise. Middle Island has been closed to the public since 2009, but there will be opportunities this summer to see the birds up close.
Morning tours will leave from the Foreshore Pavilion at 10.30am on January 2, 3 and 4 and then at 8.30am on January 9, 10 and 11, but bookings must be made on 5559 4615.
source
Maremma guardian dogs Eudy and Tula have also returned to the island to protect the colony from foxes and roaming dogs.
More than 600 penguins and short-tailed shearwaters once lived on Middle Island, near Warrnambool’s breakwater, but dog and fox raids reduced penguin numbers to less than 10 by 2005.
Warrnambool City Council and the local Coastcare Landcare group swung into action to help restore the population, with an award-winning Maremma dog project as the centrepiece.
City council officer Justin Harzmeyer said the dogs had been returning to the island every year since the first four-week trial in 2006.
He visits the island twice a day to feed and monitor the dogs.
“It puts our minds at ease knowing the Maremmas are back there watching over them,” he said.
Mr Harzmeyer said he was thrilled to see penguin numbers on the rise. Middle Island has been closed to the public since 2009, but there will be opportunities this summer to see the birds up close.
Morning tours will leave from the Foreshore Pavilion at 10.30am on January 2, 3 and 4 and then at 8.30am on January 9, 10 and 11, but bookings must be made on 5559 4615.
source
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