Dogs on route to protect the ‘coot

MAN’S best friend could end up being the saviour of a small native marsupial, under a project led by the University of Tasmania.

Guardian dogs have been used by farmers for centuries to guard sheep, cattle, poultry and goats from predators such as feral cats and red foxes.

Now researchers hope the vigilant canines can help save the eastern barred bandicoot from extinction in Victoria.

UTAS professor Chris Johnson said the $300,000 research project was operating in conjunction with Zoos Victoria and maremma pups were already being trained as bandicoot bodyguards.

Professor Johnson said the project aimed to measure the impact the guardian dogs had on the distribution and behaviour of feral cats and red foxes and monitor trial reintroductions of eastern barred bandicoots under their protection.

The project ultimately aims to provide an innovative solution to one of Australia’s most significant conservation problems — the persistent failure of attempts to reintroduce threatened species to open landscapes with invasive species.

Two furry new recruits have joined the team at Werribee Open Range Zoo, as part of the trial. Over the next two years Zoos Victoria will work with the dogs in a facility where they will be very gradually introduced to sheep, eastern barred bandicoots and other native species.

The dogs will grow up with both bandicoots and sheep and view them as normal residents in their territory. Feral cats and foxes, however, will not be regarded in that manner.

Upon maturity, the dogs will work at trial sites including Tiverton Station, a private piece of land in Victoria.

The guardian dog project is one of five UTAS research initiatives, valued at $2 million, to be funded this week under the Australian Research Council’s Linkage Projects scheme.

“This excellent result reaffirms the university’s profile as an institution that carries out truly world-class research,” acting deputy vice-chancellor (research) Andrew Wells said.