Community
22 March, 2024
Maremmas benefit from Flaggy 5
PARTICIPANTS in this year’s ‘Flaggy 5’ series have helped contribute towards the future of Warrnambool’s Middle Island Maremma Project.
The annual ‘Flaggy 5,’ organised by the Warrnambool Athletics Club, not only provides local runners with the opportunity to take part in a series of events in January, but also gives them a chance to raise some much-needed funds towards a local cause.
And this year the club chose to donate to the Maremmas.
“The Maremmas provide a vital role towards the retention and wellbeing of penguins on Middle Island so we were very happy to be able to make a $900 donation towards the project,” club president Karen Anderson said.
“We run the Flaggy 5 over four nights in January and this year we attracted more than 600 people which was amazing so we thank everyone who took part and who helped raise this money.”
Warrnambool’s Middle Island is home to a variety of seabirds, including the Little Penguin.
The Little Penguin population had been decimated by foxes over the years, with an estimated 600 penguins in 1999 reduced to less than 10 by 2005.
Maremma ‘guardian dogs’ were introduced in 2006 following a suggestion by Swampy Marsh to introduce them based on his success training them to guard his free-range chickens from predators.
They have since been trained to protect the Little Penguins from foxes, allowing the population to slowly build.
Although exact numbers are not known, its estimated there are now well over 100 penguins calling the island home.
As of October 2022, the Middle Island Project has a team of five Maremma dogs, which includes two education dogs (Avis and Amor) and three guardians (Mezzo, Isola and Oberon).
According to dog handler Nikita Dobberley, the project relies on assistance from businesses, organisations and volunteers to help meet ongoing costs and ensure its future.
“As you can imagine, these beautiful dogs can eat quite a lot and need looking after so donations such as this (from the athletics club) is much appreciated,” Ms Dobberley said.
“Because of the recent floods we haven’t been able to get out to the island quite as much as in the past so we don’t know exact numbers there, even at low tide we’ve been struggling to get out to do a penguin count but hopefully that will soon change.”
