One of Warrnambool's maremmas is leaving Middle Island and taking a well earned rest after eight years protecting little penguins.
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Tula, now 11 years old, enjoyed a retirement party at Flagstaff Hill on Wednesday night after finishing her work with the Middle Island Maremma Project.
Project coordinator Dr Patricia Corbett said Tula was stiff and sore with arthritis and struggled to get onto the island.
"Tula completed her eighth season protecting Middle Island in 2018-19 and has finished working on the island," Dr Corbett said.
"She has been the lead guardian for all of those years, so she has had to get up and do most of the work during that time.
"The six flights of stairs to get to the top of the island are a bit much for her now.
"Tula and her sister Eudy are the true stars of the maremma project and we are celebrating all of their achievements."
Dr Corbett said there were plans for Tula to retire to a farm, but she will continue to work and protect chickens.
"It is unusual for Maremmas to go from spending all of their time protecting something to completely stopping work," she said.
"Plus she will continue to help us train the new Maremma pups.
"Tula is the true matriarch of the program."
David Williams was project coordinator in 2008 when Tula and Eudy were originally purchased for the project.
"Tula is the first of the Maremmas who is reaching the end of her working life so it is a milestone," Mr Williams said.
"These dogs were the best bred Maremmas we had come across, and they have done a wonderful job.
Project chair Anne Wallis thanked the Warrnambool community for its support of the Maremmas.
"We have learned how to mix and embrace the conservation and environmental work with economic benefit and community support," Dr Wallis said.
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