The vital role played by dogs in eradicating rabbits and rodents from Macquarie Island is being commemorated in a special stamp series to be released tomorrow.
The Macquarie Island Pest Eradication project is regarded as a conservation achievement of worldwide significance.
The project was declared a success in April last year after a rigorous monitoring program found no trace of rabbit, rats or mice in more than two years.
In 2007, the Australian and Tasmanian Governments announced they would jointly fund the $25 million project to eradicate the three pest species from the World Heritage listed island.
The seven year project's success relied heavily on the persistence and dedication by the hunters and dog handlers from the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service.
This stamp series honours the work of the dogs involved. It’s estimated the 15 detector dogs, including springer spaniels, Labradors, terriers and a terrier-cross, covered more than 90,000 kilometres in their efforts to locate any surviving individual pests.
It is recognition of the incredible work ethic of the dogs, which were highly trained to ensure they would not be distracted by native animals and chosen for their tolerance to the cold, wet climate.
The Dogs that Saved Macquarie Island stamps not only feature the dogs that played a part in the eradication campaign, but also portray some of their handlers, along with stunning images of the remote island and its endemic species.
The Dogs that Saved Macquarie Island is available from tomorrow at participating Post Offices and online at www.auspost.com.au/stamps
More Media Releases from the Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage