Foxes take advantage of low tide to cause real massacre 'birds'; the idea of a local farmer was so successful that the story ended up inspiring film. Learn the history:
When the foxes pinguinzinhos found a colony on a small island in Australia, they nearly annihilated the birds. But a local farmer had an idea to protect the birds - an idea so successful that the story was eventually made into a movie.
To understand the plot, think of something like Lassie finds Babe (Babe the Pig In) and Pingu (the cartoon of the same name). How not to love?
The event took place in the beautiful Middle Island, the Australian south coast, which is home to a colony of so-called blue penguins, the smallest species of penguins, measuring between 30 and 40 centimeters. There were hundreds of them in Middle Island. But that changed when the foxes discovered.
"We went from a point where there were 800 penguins for a scenario where we could find only four," says Peter Abbott, the Penguin Preservation project.
"Most killing, found 360 dead penguins in just two nights. Foxes are hunting killer. They kill what are ahead." There were hundreds of them in Middle Island. But that changed when the foxes discovered.
With the arrival of the dogs, the island's hierarchy changed
"We went from a point where there were 800 penguins for a scenario where we could find only four," says Peter Abbott, the Penguin Preservation project. "Most killing, found 360 dead penguins in just two nights. Foxes are hunting killer. They kill what are ahead."
The episode cited by Peter occurred in 2005, but the problem had been occurring for years. Middle Island - which is not inhabited by humans - is separated from the territory for only a watercourse of 30 meters.
At low tide, and when the sand creates a narrow channel, foxes crossing the continent easily by just wetting a little his paws.
The problem became apparent in the 2000s, when the ocean currents caused a sand accumulation in the watercourse. Over time, the foxes realized that there was an easy source of food. And so the penguins were almost eliminated from the island.
Hierarchy change
Then a farmer who raised chickens had an idea: send one of his dogs Maremma Sheepdog breed to protect the penguins. "In Australia, these dogs are usually used to protect chickens, goats and sheep," explains Peter.
Film is helping to stimulate tourism in the Australian island
The dog in question, the first of several sent to Middle Island, was called Oddball - Oddball and made a big impact.
"We immediately noticed a change in the behavior of foxes. The island's hierarchy has changed. Foxes can hear the barking of dogs and sniff dogs when they are around."
Thus, since the arrival of Oddball and his successors for 10 years, no penguin was killed by a fox in Middle Island. And the population of these penguins reached nearly 200.
The dogs now patrol the island are Eudy and Tula, baptized in honor of the scientific name of the penguin, Eudyptula. They are the sixth and seventh dogs to care for the birds - and Peter is already training a puppy to take on the task next year.
The history of the project was so successful that inspired the film called Oddball. "It's really an incredible story. We were trying to save a cute penguin with some cute dogs," says Peter.
The film, which has grossed $ 8 million at the box office in Australia, boosted tourism on the island. In the summer months, people can make a guided tour of the site.
"It was one of the best things that happened to us in a long time. Now, tourists come to know the dogs or to do the tour on the island," said John Watson, who has in the area.
Many of the residents are characters in the film and worked as extras. "My character is played by American actor," says farmer Peter Abbott. "I tell people it's because they did not find an Australian as beautiful as I am."
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