Record 5,219 Little Penguins Cross Beach At Phillip Island In 50 Minutes

May 10, 2022

A record number of penguins have crossed the beach at Penguin Parade on Phillip Island in Australia.

record penguins
Credit: Phillip Island Nature Parks

Phillip Island, located off Australia's southern coast, is known for its Penguin Parade at Summerland Beach. Spectators gather daily at sunset to watch the little penguins come ashore in groups.

"We had the highest number of penguins cross last week with 5,219 penguins crossing our Penguin Parade beach within the 50 minutes of the count, which is amazing," said Phillip Island Nature Parks research officer Paula Wasiak.

The previous record only happened a few days before and that was just over 4,500 penguins.

"What's really unique about these record-breaking nights is that they're happening now," says Wasiak. "Usually, we have record-breaking nights when the penguins are at the peak of their breeding season, so around November and December."

Peak numbers in spring and summer are usually around 2,500 birds.

Wasiak believes the rise in numbers is due to conservation efforts and "excellent feeding conditions".