A hardworking sheepdog has retired after spending eight years working to protect penguins located on the Middle Island in Warrnambool, Australia.
Over the years, Tula the Sheepdog has become somewhat a local celebrity thanks to her dedication to protecting the penguins on the island from predators such as foxes.
Eight years after starting her job, it seems that Tula is ready to relax and have another guardian replace her.
“Her, along with her sister Eudy, are the true heroes of the project and without them the project would not have been so successful,” the staff of the Middle Island Penguin Project shared in a Facebook statement.
“We want to thank Tula so much for her tireless efforts. Tula is much loved by the project staff, the Warrnambool community and the wider community of supporters of the project.
“She will remain a part of the project team and instead of protecting Middle Island, she will continue to protect chickens at a farm that the dogs rest at and help us continue to train the younger guardian dogs. Please join us in thanking Tula for being the best penguin guardian all these years!”
As they explained, Tula joined the team working to protect the penguins on the island when she was just two years old.
“Middle Island is home to seabirds such as the Short-tailed Shearwater, the Black-faced Cormorant and the Little Penguin,” the staff added.
“The Little Penguin population had been decimated by fox predation over the years, with an estimated 600 penguins in 1999 reduced to less than 10 by 2005.
“Since 2006 Maremma Guardian Dogs have been trained to protect Middle Island’s Little Penguins from foxes, allowing the population to slowly build to well over 100 penguins today.
“This world-first award-winning project relies on the assistance of businesses, organizations and volunteers to help with penguin counts, penguin breeding monitoring and improving habitat for penguins by revegetating areas with native species.”
To reward Tula for her contributions, the staff organized a retirement party during which the sheepdog was served a dog-friendly cake.
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Replaced!