Today on my Stitch 'n Bitch calendar, I read an interesting "Knit Bit" ......"Oil spills threaten the lives of many sea creatures, among them the "fairy penguins" that live near Melbourne, Australia. Experts have found that wrapping the penguins in wool sweaters helps keep them alive! It prevents them from preening themselves and possibly ingesting the harmful chemicals contained in the petroleum-based oil, while also keeping them warm until their bodies can regenerate natural oils. After a spill in 2000, knitters all over the world donated their time and extra yarn to aid the Australian penguins in need. The penguins received thousands of sweaters, which not only kept them healthy but also served as a welcome wardrobe change from the been-there, done-that tuxedo."
Read more about penguin sweaters here.
This link has another article about it explaining why the sweaters are necessary prior to cleaning the birds and returning them to their habitat... AND if you click on the "Penguin Jumpers Needed" link in the Additional information section you can get a pattern!
Wow. Now I'm really ready to watch Happy Feet.
2 comments:
oh for goodness sake, how cute is that?
I know... I just want to pop one of this little cuties into my purse and take it home with me!
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