The countdown is on to name Warrnambool’s newest Maremma guard dog with a shortlist released ahead of the close of voting next week.
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Warrnambool City Council mayor Kylie Gaston said more than 300 names were suggested for the new puppy.
“From these names a shortlist was created and we’re now calling on the public to cast a vote for their preferred name,” she said.
The shortlisted names are:
- Eva, after Eva Carmichael, survivor of the Loch Ard shipwreck
- Bella, means beautiful in Italian. Maremmas originate from Italy
- Nala, means gift or lioness
- Kulija, an indigenous word for penguin
- Avis, a long-time volunteer at Flagstaff Hill
- Kimba, as in Kimba the white lion, majestic, regal like a maremma
- Indala, an indigenous word for penguin
- Mina, Dutch for protector
- Aurora, puppy will have a great view of Aurora Australis
- Lulu, the three other maremmas have four letter names and Lulu is a cute
Vote for your favourite name at www.warrnamboolpenguins.com.au
Voting closes at 10am, Friday December 16.
The new puppy has an important job ahead as a guardian of the little penguin colony on Middle Island.
“Eventually she will join our other young guardian dog, Amor, in replacing the hard-working Maremmas Eudy and Tula who are nearing the end of their working careers and heading towards a comfortable retirement,” Cr Gaston said.
For almost a decade Eudy and Tula have remained on the island during the breeding season, providing a deterrent to foxes and cats that preyed on the penguins.
The first person who submits the winning name for the new puppy will win an accommodation, dining and Flagstaff Hill package.
