One of Australia’s biggest tourist drawcards – the nightly penguin parade on Phillip Island in Victoria – has become a video hit with hundreds of thousands tuning in to watch the birds waddle ashore.
Phillip Island Nature Parks launched Live Penguin TV to compensate for the fact that most local visitors – along with all inter-state and international visitors – are unable to reach the island due to Covid-19 restrictions.
The parade is livestreamed free every night and will continue even after restrictions ease. More than 771,000 viewers watched the parade when it went live this week. The live stream starts at 6pm local time (4pm Singapore time).
It is believed to be the world’s first nightly livestream of a natural wildlife event at a regular time, with expert commentary.
Viewers are able to watch up to 3000 penguins emerging from the Bass Strait and head for their burrows in the sand dunes following their daily fishing expedition.
CEO of Phillip Island Nature Parks Catherine Basterfield said: “Our rangers who work at the penguin parade will be providing some live commentary on the penguin characters.
“I think at the moment penguins just put a smile on everyone’s faces, and that’s what we need right now.”
The nightly parade can be seen on YouTube and Phillip Island Nature Parks’ Facebook page.