March of the little penguins! Live feed of adorable Phillip Island parade goes viral as thousands watch the birds waddle across the beach – and it’s on again tonight
- Thousands of little penguins will be livestreamed as they return to Phillip Island
- The penguin species is the smallest in the world, reaching about 33cm in height
- The blue feathered birds found along the southern Australian and NZ coastlines
- Phillip Island Nature Parks streaming the event while they are closed to visitors
- The livestream can be watched on Phillip Island Nature Parks Youtube Channel
Australia’s famous Phillip Island penguin parade is being livestreamed this year with the first broadcast of the adorable birds already going viral.
Starting on Tuesday August 25, Phillip Island Nature Parks will stream the native little penguins as they return each day from fishing and waddle up the beach to their sand dune burrows.
Viewers will be able to tune in again on Wednesday night from 6pm to view the spectacle while tourists are not allowed on the island during coronavirus lockdowns.
Australia’s famous Phillip Island penguin parade is being livestreamed this year with the first broadcast of the adorable birds already going viral
According to Phillip Island Nature Parks the event is likely the first livestream of a natural wildlife event at a regular time anywhere in the world.
More than 270,000 viewers from around the country and the world were delighted at Tuesday night’s stream, which lasted for about 40 minutes.
Host of the stream, Ranger Skye Nichol, told viewers to look for the penguins’ white patches as the waddle up the beach.
She also explained when in the water a group of penguins is known as a ‘raft’ but once out of the water they are a ‘waddle’ of penguins.
Phillip Island known as Corriong or Millowi in the indigenous Boonwurrung language, is located about 140km south of Melbourne
According to Phillip Island Nature Parks the event is likely the first livestream of a natural wildlife event at a regular time anywhere in the world
‘How can these little penguins not make you smile?’ one viewer commented.
‘Loving watching the penguin parade livestream,’ another said.
‘What an amazing idea,’ added a third.
Little penguins are the smallest species of penguin, growing to a little more than 30cm high and are found along southern Australia and New Zealand.
In Australia they are also known as fairy penguins and are characterised by their blue feathers and white bellies.
The march of the penguins up Phillip Island’s beach continues throughout the year, however, the hour varies slightly with the sunset in different months.
The island, known as Corriong or Millowi in the indigenous Boonwurrung language, is located about 140km south of Melbourne.
Along with the Little Penguins the areas is known for other wildlife including Burrunan dolphins, short-tailed shearwaters, humpback whales, and southern right whales.
The Phillip Island Nature Park was created in 1996 and uses money from tourists to fund animal conservation and research.
The ecotourist attractions of the park are currently closed to visitors, however, donations can be made via the penguin foundation.
Ms Nichol said the penguins’ breeding season was around the corner so numbers would likely swell in early 2021.
The penguins make their burrows in the sand dunes on Phillip Island (pictured)