is accessible to the mainland, or perhaps accidentally becoming
marooned after chasing foxes at low tide. On one occasion,
the Maremmas’ rough play led to the death of chicks. Once a
dedicated pair of penguin-guardian Maremmas was specifically
raised and trained to guard the birds, the tide turned for the
penguins. Gradually, the penguin population rose, climbing to
upwards of 180 in 2013. Two Maremmas (sisters Eudy and Tula,
named after the penguins’ generic epithet) now spend five days
a week ‘on duty’ on the island during the penguin breeding
season, and two new pups are in training to take over the
penguin guardian role from the ageing sisters. A similar project
was successfully trialled for a short time to protect the only
colony of Australasian gannets (Morus serrator) on the Australian
mainland, at Point Danger, near Portland, Victoria.
But what about the wildlife?
Livestock guardian dogs can affect wildlife in both positive and
negative ways. Firstly, they might prey on wildlife. Guardian dogs
have reportedly sometimes killed predator and prey species
here and overseas, including deer fawns, kangaroos, coyotes
and foxes. Secondly, they may chase or harass wildlife, generally
conspicuous, medium- to large-sized species, or predators
that present a threat to livestock. This behaviour is part of the
mechanism by which guardian dogs keep livestock safe, but
it is also the behaviour that allowed the farmer in my survey
to use them to scare away kangaroos. A macropod will likely
quickly learn that guardian dogs are present and will stay away.
I conducted a wildlife survey using movement-triggered cameras
to compare Maremma-protected areas with similar unpatrolled
areas. Upon analysing the data, it became clear that most large
herbivores quite deliberately avoid guardian dogs. Sambar deer
(Rusa unicolor) and swamp wallabies (Wallabia bicolor) did not
enter guarded areas at all. Eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus
giganteus) sometimes crossed into the guardian dogs’ territory,
but only sporadically and only at locations where the dogs had
been absent for at least a couple of days.
Similar results have been found in other countries. In the
USA, researchers found that livestock guardian dogs restrict the
presence of white-tailed deer in cattle paddocks. In Romania,
they have a limiting effect on red deer and roe deer. ThisCONSERVATION INNOVATION
Clockwise from above: A Maremma patrols the only mainland colony of
Australasian gannets, at Point Danger, near Portland, Victoria. Guardian
dogs are raised with the species they are designed to protect, forming
a bond that encourages them to act as bodyguards. Photo: Linda van
Bommel. Australasian gannets take six years to reach breeding maturity,
making populations slow-growing. Photo: Linda van Bommel. On Middle
Island, Victoria, little penguin numbers have increased under the care of
Maremmas. Photo: JJ Harrison [CC].Wildlife Australia | 17