Middle Island, Warrnambool penguin protector Tula dies at 13
Warrnambool is in mourning after death of the Maremma matriarch who protected the penguin colony on Middle Island and inspired the movie Oddball.
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Warrnambool has lost one of its icons following the death of Maremma guardian dog Tula.
Tula and her sister Eudy, who died in June, became famous for helping to protect the penguin colony on Middle Island.
When the pair arrived 10 years ago, fox attacks had decimated the population to just four but by the 2016-17 season, Eudy and Tula helped it reached in excess of 200.
Despite retiring in 2019, Tula continued to play a vital role in penguin protection until her death.
Her and her sister were the first dogs specially trained to protect Warrnambool’s Little Penguin Colony on Middle Island, a project that has achieved global recognition and was the inspiration for the film Oddball.
Middle Island Penguin project dog handler Dr Trish Corbett said Tula was the matriarch of the project and would be deeply missed.
“Tula was the lead guardian. She was always the first to jump up and bark if there was a threat,” she said.
“Middle Island was her domain. She had such a strong instinct and loved protecting her island.
“Tula, together with Eudy, also did an amazing job in training the new generation of guardians.
“Even after she retired to the ‘farm’, she continued to protect the chickens and train the younger dogs. You couldn’t tell her not to work. She lived for it.”
Dr Corbett said that Tula had previously had two cruciate ligament surgeries and arthritis.
“She was old and it was her time,” she said.
“Tula spent her last night with loved ones visiting her and went to sleep with love and a stomach full of her favourite food.
“I’d like to thank the Vet Group for their compassion and care, especially during Tula’s final days. I’d also like to thank Pet Stock for their support in feeding our team of guardians over the years.”
Tula’s ashes will be scattered alongside her sister on Middle Island.
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