Knitting for penguins

You probably think that as penguins often live in very cold areas, their own feathers should be enoiugh. Mosyt of the time they are, but sometimes they need a little more help.

â€¨Knitted penguin jumpers play an important role in saving little penguins affected by oil pollution. A patch of oil the size of a five cent coin can kill a little penguin. Affected penguins can often die from exposure and starvation as the oil separates and mats feathers, allowing water to get in which makes a penguin very cold, heavy and less able to successfully hunt for food.â€¨â€¨

When oiled penguins are admitted to the Wildlife Clinic at Phillip Island Nature Parks, a knitted jumper may be temporarily placed on the penguins to prevent them from preening and swallowing the toxic oil before they are washed and the oil removed by staff.

Knits for Nature began after a number of oil spills near Phillip Island in the late 1990s to early 2000s, due to the kindness of knitters world-wide the program has been so successful that it is now closed. Tens of thousands of little knits were received and there is now more than enough to use in the event of an oil spill.

More details: PenguinFoundation

In one of the best stories recently, at 109 years old and Australia's oldest living person, Alfred Date, is also keen and busy knitter. Although he has knitted many things in the past 80 years, one of his favourite things to make were tiny little sweaters for penguins to wear. Read more....

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