The island, which is closed to the public, is home to shearwater birds, a penguin colony and Maremma dogs, who guard the penguins from foxes.

The penguin population recorded its highest numbers in five years this month pleasing Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Network volunteers. 

Group penguin project co-ordinator Melanie Wells said the peak count on December 5 saw an estimated arrival of 182 penguins, which means the population at that time was as high as 250 birds.

It was followed by strong numbers at a count on Monday which totaled 101 penguins, a prediction of about 160 penguins.

She said the figures showed the penguin population was recovering and the numbers had increased.

 “It’s still record numbers for this time of year," Miss Wells said. "It’s an absolute boomer of a year, it’s incredible.”

In 1999, there were 860 penguins. In 2005-06 the island’s population was down to four penguins. The Maremma dogs were introduced in 2006 after a sharp decline in numbers due to foxes.

Miss Wells said the figures reiterated the importance of closing the island and highlighted the program’s success. “It’s because of that hands-off approach,” she said. 

On Tuesday, The Standard reported that unauthorised people accessing the island were threatening the survival of at-risk animals.

The article raised questions from readers about which areas of the beach people and dogs could use. 

Miss Wells encouraged beach-goers to enjoy the surrounding areas. 

“Everyone can dive in the marine sanctuary around the island, it’s amazing diving,” she said. “By all means play in the water around it, but stay off the island.”

She said dogs, excluding the trained Maremmas, were not allowed in Stingray Bay, but could be walked north of the footbridge and on nearby paths. 

“The marine park stretches from Breakwater Rock to Thunder Point, they’re the east and west boundaries and then the other boundary is the footbridge, so everything inside that is the marine park.

“All Stingray Bay and the beach at that area are protected up to the footbridge.” 

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