Visitors
wearing lifejackets and safety vests will wade through the Merri River
mouth at low tide for a guided tour of Middle Island and a chance to get
close to Maremmas Eudy and Tula as they patrol their patch.
WARRNAMBOOL’S world-famous Maremma dogs are about to get lots more company this week with daily tourist tours to Middle Island where the fluffy canines are protecting penguins.
Visitors wearing
lifejackets and safety vests will wade through the Merri River mouth at
low tide for a guided tour where they will have the chance to get close
to Maremmas Eudy and Tula as they patrol their patch.
Next
year actor Shane Jacobson and a film crew will use the island as a
backdrop for a movie called Oddball, based on the real-life story of how
former Dennington chook farmer Swampy Marsh and his two Maremmas helped
save the penguin population from extinction.
It was a world-first project. “We stay on the designated path so penguin burrows aren’t trampled,” tourism services manager Peter Abbott said. “They are working dogs, so we don’t want to disturb them too much. These tours give visitors a chance to meet the animals. Times are dependant on low tide, but people should expect to get wet.”
Three
tours conducted before New Year’s Eve attracted strong bookings and
Mr Abbott expects similar good patronage for more frequent visits
starting Monday morning and continuing through January.
Further tours will be conducted on demand and education programs for school groups will also be held.
No comments:
Post a Comment