In Australia, the smallest penguins in the world have been saved from extinction thanks to the use of Maremma sheepdogs, which have turned into real bodyguards. The penguins of the Eudyptula minor species can reach a height of just over 40 centimeters and see Australia and New Zealand as their habitat.
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him
In Australia i Penguins the smallest in the world have been saved from extinction thanks to the use of Maremma sheepdogs, who have turned into real bodyguards. The penguins of the Eudyptula minor species can reach a height of just over 40 centimeters and see Australia and New Zealand as their habitat.
The rescue of the little penguins, which were now considered endangered, took place through the project "Maremma Project" which took place on Middle Island, south of the Australian coast. Experts thought they could use the ability of Maremma shepherds to protect the flock from wolves against other animals. This is how the dogs have done their job of defending penguins from foxes very well.
Two shepherd dogs have been selected to protect the now small population of penguins on the Australian island. Dogs they were brought to the island seven years ago to resolve a very worrying situation. Where they previously lived approx 1500 penguins, there were later only four pairs left capable of procreating new specimens.
photo source: middle island maremma project
photo source: wikipedia.org
The penguin colony was really on the verge of extinction, at least as far as that island is concerned. With the arrival of the dogs, the situation progressively improved, leading to unexpected results. The last census carried out led to the counting of about 200 adult penguins and, more importantly, no penguin, from the moment of arrival of the four-legged bodyguards, was more killed from a fox on the island.
We must therefore thank Eudy and Tula, the two Maremma shepherds defenders of the penguins, whose constant presence has evidently discouraged the Australian foxes, which would be able to reach the island especially in times of low tide, for having contributed to the salvation of these small and defenseless animals in the process of extinction.
Marta Albè
photo source: wikipedia.org
