Axis Communications’ Wai King Wong said the team is proud to be a part of the iconic annual penguin pilgrimage, with several Axis cameras installed by integrator Lanec, to capture live images of the seasonal migration to the Australian island territory.
The penguins return from their fishing expedition in Bass Strait to their homes on Phillip Island at around the same time every year and this year the event was live-streamed by the Phillip Island Nature Parks, a not-for-profit conservation organisation, which operates complementary ecotourism experiences on Phillip Island.
The live stream was hosted by ranger Skye Nichols, and drew an online crowd of more than 770,000 people. Viewers witnessed around 900 penguins come ashore in groups, moving from the cold waters up onto the beach then across the island to their burrows. The live stream was the first in a series that will feature the annual penguin migration. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has been promoting the significance of the natural event, and the Nature Park’s Facebook page is followed by over 100,000 people.
Axis cameras are positioned around the Nature Park to aid in the study of the penguins, and ensure their habitats do not come under threat. The cameras are installed and maintained by systems integrator Lanec, in conjunction with Axis Communications. There are 2 cameras at the park – a Q3517 dome, as well as a Q6075-S PTZ.
The cameras can be operated remotely, with the pan, tilt and zoom functionality of the Q6075-S giving rangers the ability to zoom in across the beach to hone in on a raft of penguins as they come ashore, or seek out specific birds to closely observe their behaviour. The cameras have also been connected to an application called Camstreamer, which allows rangers at the park to livestream the penguins effectively.
The Q3517 camera is rated at IK10+, and as such it is protected from heavy impact. It is also shielded against wind, snow and heavy rain. Meanwhile, the Q6075-S has P6K9K, IP66, IP67 and NEMA 4X approvals. Both cameras are designed to operate in adverse conditions. The cameras are frequently exposed to salt spray, rain, wind and dust, and must be able to withstand harsh environmental factors to remain operational.
The penguin migration is a significant tourism drawcard for the Victorian economy, and livestreaming the annual event maintains public interest as well as potentially bringing it to a wider audience. Phillip Island Nature Parks would normally have anywhere up to 2000 eco-tourists visiting the island to watch the Penguin Parade, so bringing the event to that audience via livestreaming is of great importance to the organization. As such, the cameras need to be reliable, and provide clear, quality, high-resolution vision.
“We are proud that our cameras are being used for this iconic event thanks to their operational efficiency, reliability and advanced features,” said Wai King Wong, director for ANZ at Axis Communications.
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