Skylar's January post all about penguins

    Oil spills are one of the worst environmental disasters that can occur. They destroy the environment, pollute the water and wreak havoc on those who depend on the ocean to live.  These disasters are unfortunate for the people involved, but they are critical for the penguins. Oil spills have been hurting penguins and their habitats for years. Fortunately, these helpless birds can survive such devastation, because of us. Volunteers have helped penguins overcome oil spills by organizing cleaning centers all over the world and by knitting them sweaters.

    In 2000, an oil spill occurred near the biggest African penguin breeding ground in the world. The devastation was instant. Thousands of penguins became coated in a toxic goo, which clumped their feathers and burned their eyes.We (as humans) rushed to the rescue. Various centers were set up for the immediate treatment of the injured penguins. The affected penguins were collected and transferred to these centers where  they were treated and cleaned. According to the Scope article “The Amazing Penguin Rescue”, this was the most effective rescue ever--more than 40,000 birds were saved. Just one oil spill affected 40,000! Our rescue efforts saved thousands of birds.

    Two years earlier, in Australia, there was another oil spill near the penguin breeding ground. This spill was not as tragic as the one in 2000, but it still had tragic results. In the Scope magazine article “Saving Penguins, One Sweater at a Time” it said that the volunteers instantly got to work knitting sweaters to help penguins. I know what you’re thinking-- “Sweaters? For penguins?” Yes. The sweaters were meant to keep the penguins from trying to get the toxic oil out of their feathers. The sweaters also worked to absorb the excess oil.  The volunteer effort made a huge difference. They saved over 1,000 penguins and now, anyone can donate mini sweaters in case another oil spill happens.

    Some penguins continue to have major difficulties as a result of these spills but with our help, they will continue to survive. All of the washing and sweater knitting paid off. Our efforts have helped, and will continue to help these birds survive. If we keep planning and helping, these penguins will live longer and have a better quality of life. Our efforts make a difference.  Let’s keep up the effort and save the penguins!