The Middle Island Maremma Project began in 2006 when there was a sharp decline in the colony size of Little Penguins on Middle Island due to fox predation. Maremma Guardian dogs were trained and placed on Middle Island to protect the penguins from foxes during the breeding season. The Project has been a huge success, with no evidence of fox attacks since the beginning of the Project and a steady increase in penguin colony size from fewer than 10 birds in 2005 to an estimated peak number of 180 penguins in 2013.Colour photographs looking towards Middle Island, Warrnambool.middle island, warrnambool, beach, sunset, maremma, little pengion

This is a book for children written by Ron Sproston and illustrated by Mem Taberner. The fantasy animal story takes its theme from the true story of the saving of the fairy penguins on Middle Island, Warrnambool from the depredations of fox activity on the island. The presence of Maremma dogs residing on the island acting as deterrents to fox activity has been highly successful in preventing the killing of the penguins by foxes. The book has been published by Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, Warrnambool and personnel from this organization oversee the Maremma program. Ron Sproston and Mem Taberner have both been involved with Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village for some years. This book is of interest as it has been produced locally and is based on the story of the Middle Island penguin protection program where Maremma dogs are used as deterrents to foxes. This is a soft cover book of 75 pages. The front cover is white with multi-coloured illustrations of animals and the back cover has white printed material superimposed on a green-coloured photograph of Middle Island. The book has several black and white sketches. middle island, maremma penguin protection program, ron sproston, mem taberner, children’s literature, warrnambool

Digital imagespenguin, maremma, guard dog, middle island, fox, predation, conservation, island, coast, warrnambool, warrnambool city council, warrnambool coastcare, volunteers, eudy, tula