Knitting Sweaters Can Help Save Penguins' Lives

October 18, 2013

By Ashleigh Schmitz

(Corbis)

 

On your mark, get set, knit! That’s the message one New Zealand store gave the Internet in an attempt to help save its nation’s penguins.

The October 5 oil spill in New Zealand, which saw 350 tons of oil poured into the ocean, is being called the country’s “most significant environmental maritime disaster” by New Zealand Environment Minister Nick Smith in a press conference. The spill devastatingly killed thousands of sea birds, including some of the native blue penguins.

While sweaters might be an unusual solution, Napier, New Zealand yarn store Skeinz thought that these “penguin jumpers” would keep the birds warm and safe from consuming the toxic oil coating on their feathers until they can be cleaned. Think of them like the plastic cones put on a dog to keep him or her from interfering with a healing injury.

The store posted a request as well as patterns for knitters looking to make the animal world a little safer — and cuter. In the short time they collected sweaters for penguins in need, Skeinz reached its goal and thanked their benevolent donors:

The response has been so overwhelming that we no longer require any more jumpers for the penguins effected but make sure you check out our blog for latest updates on what we are doing with the surplus jumpers & the a way that you can still knit & be contributing to the penguin cause.

Without mentioning how many sweaters they received, Skeinz promised to share their plans for the extras as well as updates on how do-gooders can continue to help the penguins.

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