The Smallest Penguins in Peril

Middle Island in Australia is home to the world's smallest penguins. These little penguins are only 13 inches tall and weigh about 3 pounds. They are super cute and need lots of protection.

But in 1991, trouble began. A new causeway, or a land bridge, started to connect Middle Island to the mainland. This allowed foxes to easily get to the island and threaten the tiny penguins.

Enter Swampy Marsh and the Maremma Dogs

A local chicken farmer named Swampy Marsh had an idea. He had been using big dogs called Maremmas to protect his chickens. These dogs weigh up to 100 pounds! Marsh thought, why not use them to protect the penguins too?

So, he sent his dog, Oddball, to see if it would work. It did! The presence of these large dogs scared away the foxes right away. The fox invasion patterns changed, and the penguins were much safer.

The Middle Island Project

The success of Oddball's mission led to the creation of the Middle Island Project. This project focused on breeding more Maremma dogs to protect the penguins. Thanks to these dogs, the penguin population grew back to 180 birds.

How the Dogs Help Without a Fight

What's really cool is that the Maremma dogs don't even need to fight the foxes. Just being there, their large size, and their deep barks are enough to keep the predators away. These amazing dogs continue to stand guard, keeping the tiny penguins safe and sound.

You can learn more about this amazing project on their Facebook page or their website!