BANDICOOT BODYGUARDSEastern barred bandicoots (Perameles gunnii) used to
be widespread in Tasmania and western Victoria, even
extending into the south-east corner of South Australia, but
population declines mean they are now listed as Extinct on
mainland Australia. Their decline, like that of most native
small mammal species, is likely caused by habitat loss and
predation by foxes and cats.
In a trial run by Zoos Victoria, Maremmas are being
trained to protect reintroduced wild populations of eastern
barred bandicoots. The dogs are currently in training at
Werribee Open Range Zoo, but are expected to start
working at two reintroduction sites by the end of 2017.
They are being raised with sheep and are gradually being
introduced to bandicoots and other native species. At the
reintroduction sites, the dogs will protect a small flock of
sheep as well as the bandicoots because bandicoots are
solitary, shy, and hide for much of the day, possibly making
it difficult for the Maremmas to associate with them.
Maremmas are very social dogs, so it is hoped the sheep will
meet their social needs and the dogs will protect both sheep
and bandicoots. If the trial is successful, it could result in the
use of guardian dogs to protect other threatened Australian
species and return them to their former wild ranges.
Right, top to bottom: If eastern barred bandicoots are to be
re-established in the wild, outside of predator-proof enclosures or
islands, the impact of foxes and feral cats needs to be reduced, and
that’s where ‘bandicoot bodyguards’ might prove useful; Currently,
three reintroduced populations of eastern barred bandicoots survive
in predator-free enclosures in Victoria, with a fourth population on
Churchill Island. Photos: Zoos Victoria.Guardian dogs obviously alter the movements and behaviour
of predators, but during my research it became clear that their
impact extended to other species as well. Many farmers stated
that their guardian dogs also kept kangaroos away. One farmer
ran guardian dogs with his livestock for the sole purpose of
keeping macropods on the move to protect his pastures and
prevent overgrazing. Sometimes Maremmas can keep other
animals safe, too. One lady told me that black swans would
unsuccessfully try to raise their offspring on a dam on her
property each year, but the cygnets would invariably get preyed
upon. The year that her guardian dogs were assigned to defend
stock in that paddock, there was no predation and the swans
successfully raised cygnets for the first time.Improving the odds Oddball-style
Conservationists have had great success with Maremmas
adopting a protective role with birds. The 2015 movie Oddball is
based on the Middle Island Maremma Project, a conservation
effort that began in 2006 to save a population of little penguins
(Eudyptula minor) foxes had reduced to just ten individuals on
Middle Island, Victoria. An innovative project, it was not without
its troubles. Maremmas are trained to bond with their charges,
but it can be difficult to socialise with penguins when they
are out at sea feeding or in their burrows much of the time. In
the trial phase of the project, some of the dogs wandered off,
either returning to human owners at low tide, when the islandMaremmas are intelligent, versatile and able to make complex
decisions about how best to protect those they are charged with
defending. Sometimes that might involve barking to frighten away
threats or alert farmers, remaining with a sick or juvenile animal to
prevent it being preyed upon, or perhaps herding all the livestock into
a different paddock or pen, away from threats; these decision-making
skills make them excellent bodyguards. Photos: Linda van Bommel16 | Wildlife Australia | SPRING 2017