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Lay down your needles, knitters: penguins are covered for time being Lay down your needles, knitters: penguins are covered for time being
(6 months later)
The Phillip Island Penguin Foundation has a shipping container full of penguin-sized knitted jumpers and doesn’t need any more.The Phillip Island Penguin Foundation has a shipping container full of penguin-sized knitted jumpers and doesn’t need any more.
But after criticism of its project to protect its rescued animals, it wants to reassure people it is not a hoax.But after criticism of its project to protect its rescued animals, it wants to reassure people it is not a hoax.
Earlier in the week it was reported knitters could donate a pint-sized, custom-made jumper for rescued penguins in need of a clean after being caught up in oil. The foundation has since said it has plenty from past donations, and frequent reports of its program have prompted criticisms and accusations it is a hoax.Earlier in the week it was reported knitters could donate a pint-sized, custom-made jumper for rescued penguins in need of a clean after being caught up in oil. The foundation has since said it has plenty from past donations, and frequent reports of its program have prompted criticisms and accusations it is a hoax.
“The last thing we want to do is to put something over their feathers that causes the oil to be pressed against their skin, or impairs the evaporation of the aromatics put off by the oil,” said International Bird Rescue.“The last thing we want to do is to put something over their feathers that causes the oil to be pressed against their skin, or impairs the evaporation of the aromatics put off by the oil,” said International Bird Rescue.
However, the co-director of the penguin foundation and research manager, Dr Peter Dann, who began the penguin rehabilitation program in his backyard 30 years ago, told Guardian Australia the organisation does indeed use the jumpers on penguins – particularly when there is a backlog of birds needing a clean. And it is effective.However, the co-director of the penguin foundation and research manager, Dr Peter Dann, who began the penguin rehabilitation program in his backyard 30 years ago, told Guardian Australia the organisation does indeed use the jumpers on penguins – particularly when there is a backlog of birds needing a clean. And it is effective.
The Penguin Foundation’s wildlife clinic has rescued between 800 and 1000 penguins over the years, including several hundred after two large oil spills.The Penguin Foundation’s wildlife clinic has rescued between 800 and 1000 penguins over the years, including several hundred after two large oil spills.
“When we started we only had a success rate of probably 50% to 60% of releasing healthy birds back in the wild, and now it’s 96%,” said Dann.“When we started we only had a success rate of probably 50% to 60% of releasing healthy birds back in the wild, and now it’s 96%,” said Dann.
Dann and his team tested methods over time, improving the rehabilitation process. The use of jumpers has been going on since the 1990s and serves a number of purposes.Dann and his team tested methods over time, improving the rehabilitation process. The use of jumpers has been going on since the 1990s and serves a number of purposes.
During mass rescue efforts, the number of penguins needing a clean in hot water “bottlenecks”, said Dann, and the animals have to sit in boxes while still covered in oil.During mass rescue efforts, the number of penguins needing a clean in hot water “bottlenecks”, said Dann, and the animals have to sit in boxes while still covered in oil.
“We found the ones waiting around were preening themselves with their beaks, preening the oil off their breast, and the oil was even coming through in their poo,” he said.“We found the ones waiting around were preening themselves with their beaks, preening the oil off their breast, and the oil was even coming through in their poo,” he said.
“[The oil] is toxic in large amounts.”“[The oil] is toxic in large amounts.”
The jumper not only stops the penguins preening the oil from their feathers, it also draws the oil out into the wool, and keeps them warm during transit.The jumper not only stops the penguins preening the oil from their feathers, it also draws the oil out into the wool, and keeps them warm during transit.
“The oil spill never happens on the doorstep, and sometimes it takes days to get the penguins to you,” said Dann.“The oil spill never happens on the doorstep, and sometimes it takes days to get the penguins to you,” said Dann.
“The oil coating mattes the plumage together. It’s like getting holes in your wetsuit, and part of the thinking about the jumpers was to keep [the penguins] at a slightly warmer temperature.“The oil coating mattes the plumage together. It’s like getting holes in your wetsuit, and part of the thinking about the jumpers was to keep [the penguins] at a slightly warmer temperature.
“For us, putting [jumpers] on in transit while they’re waiting is beneficial.”“For us, putting [jumpers] on in transit while they’re waiting is beneficial.”
A spokesman from Taronga Zoo told Guardian Australia the danger of penguins who have oil on their feathers getting cold is real.A spokesman from Taronga Zoo told Guardian Australia the danger of penguins who have oil on their feathers getting cold is real.
“It’s important with wildlife that they be kept warm,” he said, adding that oil on a penguin is like “unzipping the feathers”.“It’s important with wildlife that they be kept warm,” he said, adding that oil on a penguin is like “unzipping the feathers”.
Taronga also uses knitted jumpers – handmade and donated by local women – for young orphaned mammal and birds.Taronga also uses knitted jumpers – handmade and donated by local women – for young orphaned mammal and birds.
The spokesman said when it comes to penguins the zoo’s team uses heat lamps instead, but said it’s “probably geographical difference” rather than a disagreement of methods.The spokesman said when it comes to penguins the zoo’s team uses heat lamps instead, but said it’s “probably geographical difference” rather than a disagreement of methods.
Back on Phillip Island, Dann said the criticism from other bird rescue agencies – which also boast high re-release rates – was “horses for courses”.Back on Phillip Island, Dann said the criticism from other bird rescue agencies – which also boast high re-release rates – was “horses for courses”.
“This technique seems to work well for us, but it may not work universally,” he said.“This technique seems to work well for us, but it may not work universally,” he said.
The Penguin Foundation has a shipping container full of knitted penguin jumpers, so it doesn’t need any more, said Dann.The Penguin Foundation has a shipping container full of knitted penguin jumpers, so it doesn’t need any more, said Dann.
Many of the surplus jumpers are put on toy penguins and sold to raise money for the rescue centre and to fund conservation work and research. This includes a new method of de-oiling under development which involves fine granules and magnets. Dann said hopefully it would speed up the cleaning process. Many of the surplus jumpers are put on toy penguins and sold to raise money for the rescue centre and to fund conservation work and research. This includes a new method of de-oiling under development which involves fine granules and magnets. Dann said hopefully it would speed up the cleaning process.
“What we’re saying to people is because of the public interest it’s been a great opportunity to talk about the problem of oil and penguins, of oil and marine life in general,” he said.“What we’re saying to people is because of the public interest it’s been a great opportunity to talk about the problem of oil and penguins, of oil and marine life in general,” he said.