Penguin Island

National Geographic Channel Collection

The world famous little penguins of Australia’s Phillip Island entertain half a million tourists a year with a sunset parade from the surf to their burrows. But behind the scenes, the penguins’ lives are even more interesting. This series follows the penguins as a dedicated team of rangers and scientists monitor and protect them through the hottest summer on record. Filmed over a year by some of Australia's best documentary filmmakers, including producer Sally Ingleton, director Simon Target, and wildlife cinematographer David Parer, Penguin Island offers a rewarding insight into the lives of the stars of Phillip Island's internationally renowned Penguin Parade.

We meet Rocky, the unlucky-in-love Romeo who lives behind the tourist café, and his neighbour and sometime competitor, the dim-witted, debonair Spike. Nearby live the long-time couple Bluey and Sheila, who are struggling to feed chicks Sammy and Tom. And tearaway teenagers Butch and Bruiser, whose thuggish behaviour upsets the neighbours.

Penguin Island opens in the Australian spring as 26,000 little penguins return to their Phillip Island colony after many weeks at sea. While some search for loyal partners and others seek out a new mate, the penguins set to work building and renovating their nests to keep them safe from predators. Soon the colony is full of chicks and penguin parents take turns to babysit while their partner goes to sea to hunt. With only eight short weeks before the chicks must learn to survive for themselves, it is a fraught and time-consuming business.

So when the fish disappear from the waters around Phillip Island, life in the colony gets tough and the battle for survival begins. To make matters worse, Phillip Island is experiencing the hottest summer on record and the rangers and carers must rescue penguins all across the colony.

Penguin Island uses the latest underwater satellite tracking and Big Brother-style video surveillance to follow the lives of several penguin families who live in a colony where relationships are fraught and survival is tenuous.