Middle Island, a small, rocky island off the shore of south-western Victoria, Australia, is home to the world’s smallest species of penguins called little, or fairy, penguins.
When foxes started to take over the island and hunt the miniature creatures, the natural population of about 20,000 little penguins dwindled to a staggering 27 chicks. Thanks to the quick and inventive thinking of a local farmer named Swampy Marsh, the defenseless penguins now had a protector.
Marsh suggested sending his Maremma Guardian dog named Oddball over to the island to protect the penguins since they’re bred to protect chicken, sheep, and goats.
When Oddball was sent to the island in 2006, the fox’s patterns instantly changed. “Putting a dog on the island changed the hierarchy. The foxes can hear the dogs barking, they can smell them so they go somewhere else,” said Peter Abbott from the Penguin Preservation Project.
Since Oddball and her fluffy successors were sent to guard Middle Island 10 years ago, not a single penguin has been killed by a fox.
Today, two Maremma Guardian dogs named Eudy and Tula spend five days each week on the island during the breeding season, which lasts from October through March, to ensure the fairy penguin population continues to grow.
Watch the video below to hear more about how Oddball single-handedly saved the fairy penguins of Middle Island.
The Middle Island Maremma Project has won numerous conservation awards, and has even garnered so much media attention that the unbelievable story is being made into a movie, which is set to be released this year. Take a look at the adorable movie trailer for Oddball here.
Are you amazed that these dogs were able to save a quickly deteriorating population of tiny penguins? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and please SHARE this amazing story on Facebook.
[Featured image credit:Global Screen]