Middle Island - Maremma Penguin Project

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Middle Island - Maremma Penguin Project

For many years the local colony of Little Penguins was being reduced by foxes that wade out at low tide and take penguins and their chicks.
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Warrnambool City Council developed a project with the community to use Maremma Dogs to protect the penguins. Warrnambool’s Middle Island is home to seabirds such as the Short-tailed Shearwater, the Black-faced Cormorant and the Little Penguin. The Little Penguin population had been decimated by fox predation over the years, with an estimated 600 penguins in 1999 reduced to less than 10 by 2005. Si

nce 2006 Maremma Guardian Dogs have been trained to protect Middle Island’s Little Penguins from foxes, allowing the population to slowly build to well over 100 penguins today. This world first award winning project relies on the assistance of businesses, organisations and volunteers to help with penguin counts, penguin breeding monitoring and improving habitat for penguins by revegetating areas with native species. If you want to help support the Middle Island Maremma Project please contact Warrnambool City Council on 5559 4876. If you would like to help volunteer please visit www.wclg.com.au

Please Note - Whilst we respect Swampy Marsh with coming up with the original idea to use maremmas on Middle Island, Swampy is no longer part of the Middle Island Project

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06/05/2026

Although the Little Penguin breeding season has come to a close and penguins will be spending most of their time out to sea, the guardian dogs job is not done. As Oberon is doing here, they'll spend the quieter months scenting around Middle Island and the Warrnambool foreshore reminding foxes that they are still around and ready to protect any Little Penguins resting on Middle Island. 🐧🐧🐧

26/03/2026

As the Little Penguin breeding season draws to a close, we would like to celebrate another year of successfully deterring foxes from accessing Middle Island.

Each season comes with it's own unique challenges, but also special highlights as well! Highlights of this season include:

- Evidence of successful Little Penguin breeding and fledging.

- All three guardian dogs deployed on Middle Island for safely scheduled visits, deterring fox access and safeguarding the birdlife of Middle Island.

- An expanded education program, reaching nearly 500 people and increasing awareness and education about the important work our Maremma dogs do on Middle Island. All proceeds go directly towards the care of the Maremma dogs and conservation of Little Penguins.

Thank you to all who have contributed to this year's success. The Maremma guardians will continue to access and guard Middle Island throughout the year when safely possible, ready for the arrival of Little Penguins later this year.🐾🐧

📷 Guardian dog Oberon in front of Middle Island.

02/03/2026

Lead Guardian Mezzo has been on the look out this week on Middle Island! 🐾

Mezzo has been working hard this week keeping the foxes away from Middle Island and protecting the Little Penguins as they prepare for fledging! 🐧

This is an important time for Little Penguins, and Mezzo was more than happy to make the crossing to Middle Island and keep them safe. Well done Mezzo!

06/02/2026

Middle Island time! 🐧

Guardian dog Oberon recently visited Middle Island, where he and his siblings were able to scent the area and further deter foxes from accessing the island and Little Penguin colony.

As you can see from the photo below, Oberon feels right at home on Middle Island, and no job is too hard for him at his favourite place! 🐾

21/01/2026

Penguin Awareness Day! 📢🐧

This week we celebrated Penguin Awareness Day, a time to learn all about these iconic seabirds and learn what you can do to help them.

The Middle Island Project utilises Maremma guardian dogs to protect the Little Penguin colony at Middle Island, but there are many other colonies and species of penguins that deserve some recognition this Penguin Awareness Day!

To find out more about penguins, you can visit https://www.wwf.org.uk/learn/world-days/penguin-awareness-day, and to learn more about the Middle Island Project and how you can help the Middle Island penguins and Marremma dogs, you can visit https://www.warrnamboolpenguins.com.au/

05/01/2026

Spot the difference! 🔍🐾

A few months ago, chainsaw artist Rob Bast carved a Maremma sculpture from a single piece of wood at Warrnambool’s Wreckfest.

Can you guess which one is the sculpture and which one is Ambassador dog Avis? We will give you a hint - Avis was very happy to see another dog guarding some penguins!

If you would like to meet Avis and learn all about the work she does on Middle Island, why not book a penguin protector tour? Bookings are still open, with tickets still available this week. Tours are limited to January only so don’t miss out! All proceeds go directly towards the care of the Maremma dogs and the Middle Island Penguins 🐧

Book below:
https://tickets.flagstaffhill.com/Events/Middle-Island-Penguin-Project-Experience

30/12/2025

Tour bookings still available!!

Guardian dog Isola and tour leader Jenn will be running tours all week and are ready to teach you all about the important conservation work the maremmas do on Middle Island! 🐾 🐧

As an added bonus- you will also get the chance to meet guardian dogs Isola or Mezzo and an opportunity to take a family/individual photo!

Tours are only available throughout January so don’t miss out!

To book please visit: https://tickets.flagstaffhill.com/Events/Middle-Island-Penguin-Project-Experience

24/12/2025

Happy Holidays from all the staff and maremma dogs at the Middle Island Project! 🎄🐶🐾

Guardians Mezzo and Isola enjoyed scenting Stingray Bay this morning, and we hope you all enjoy the festive season just as much!

22/12/2025

Lead guardian Mezzo said "Let me show you how it's done" on his recent visit to Middle Island! 🐾

Even when the tide is low, some swimming is still required, luckily mezzo loves the water and drew quite the crowd demonstrating best practice at the beach.

If you would like to see more of Mezzo and learn all about the important conservation work he and his siblings do on Middle Island, book a "Penguin Protector's" tour today! bookings are now open for tours in January! 🐧🐾

https://tickets.flagstaffhill.com/Events/Middle-Island-Penguin-Project-Experience

19/12/2025

Tours now available! 📢🐾🐧

The Middle Island Project offers a fun and engaging ecotourism program called "Penguin Protectors" - and bookings are now available! Tours start from 27th December and will be running over the January summer season on select dates.

And what better way to celebrate the start of the busy season than the guardian dogs accessing Middle Island for the first time this summer! All three guardians, Mezzo, Isola and Oberon, enjoyed a swim in the sunshine this week as well as a visit to Middle Island for the afternoon.

You can see from the photo below that Guardian Isola and Oberon were already keeping watch on the walk over. Well done!

If you are interested in attending a Penguin Protector session, please click the link below to book.

https://tickets.flagstaffhill.com/Events/Middle-Island-Penguin-Project-Experience

Address

Viaduct Road
Warrnambool, VIC
3280

Telephone

1800 556 111

Website

http://www.warrnamboolpenguins.com.au/

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