They survive in some of the coldest environments in the world—but even penguins appreciate a warm woolly jumper once in a while.

The mini knitted jumper have helped save hundreds of flightless birds caught in oil spills， providing protection from the elements and stopping them from taking in poisonous pollution.

Knits for Nature， a program run by The Penguin Foundation， which conserves the little penguin population of Phillip Island， 140km southeast of Melbourne， has created up to 300 different designs over the years—and its all thanks to talented volunteers. “Theres a lot of hidden creativity out there，” said Lyn Blom， of the Phillip Island Nature Park.

“People love to know that theyre helping the penguins because theyre so cute and small and they waddle up the beach and theyre so courageous. But they need to be， for they live in a pretty tough environment.”

A thumbnail-sized patch of oil can kill little penguins， the smallest of the species， measuring just 13 inches （33 cm） and weighing 2.2 lbs （1kg）. The oil separates and mats their feathers， breaking natural waterproofing and heating functions.

Ms Blom estimates she has knitted between 200 and 300 penguin jumpers over the years， including ones in the colours of every Australian Rules football team in the country.

A staff member read an article in an English womens magazine about knitting for guillemot birds and decided to adapt the designs.

“Theres an awful lot of ladies out there who used to knit for their children and grandchildren. These ladies have wool and hands， and they love to feel loved and needed and we love and need them，” said Ms Blom.

The Penguin Foundation rescues approximately 20 birds a year. They even have a stockpile of jumpers in case of emergency—such as the large oil spill near Phillip Island in 2001.

In that instance， 453 penguins were affected， 96 percent of which were saved—most thanks to the jumpers.

企鵝在世界上最寒冷的環(huán)境中生存，但有時候它們也渴望有一件溫暖的毛衣。

由于石油泄漏，企鵝們很可能接觸到石油中的微量元素，甚至誤食這些有毒的污染物。而迷你毛衣能給它們很好的保護，成功拯救了手無寸鐵的數(shù)百只企鵝。

為了保護菲利普島（墨爾本東南部140千米處）上的小企鵝，企鵝基金會發(fā)起了為企鵝織毛衣的活動。到目前為止，基金會已經(jīng)設(shè)計了300多種不同的毛衣款式，這都要感謝心靈手巧的志愿者們。菲利普島上自然公園的工作人員布洛姆說：“我們發(fā)現(xiàn)了很多隱藏的創(chuàng)意?！?/p>

“人們愿意幫助企鵝，因為它們又小又可愛。在沙灘上搖擺著身體走動時，它們又顯得那么勇敢。但它們必須如此，因為它們生活在惡劣的環(huán)境中?！?/p>

指甲蓋大小的石油就足以殺死一只小企鵝。最小的企鵝大概只有13英寸（33厘米）長，體重2.2磅（1千克）。石油會使它們的羽毛纏結(jié)在一起且分散開，這樣羽毛就失去了防水和保溫的作用。

布洛姆自己就織了兩百到三百件毛衣，她還制作了一個毛衣系列，采用澳大利亞所有足球隊的代表顏色。

基金會的一名員工在一本女性雜志上看到了一篇給海鳥織毛衣的文章，于是決定采取這一設(shè)計。

布洛姆說：“許多女性曾為孩子和孫子織毛衣，她們有毛線和雙手，并且喜歡這種被愛被需要的感覺，基金會也非常感謝和需要她們?！?/p>

每年，企鵝基金會拯救的企鵝大約有20只。他們甚至還有毛衣儲備以應(yīng)對緊急情況，比如2001年菲利普島附近的大規(guī)模石油泄漏事件。

在那次事件中，453只企鵝受到了影響，其中96%的企鵝獲救，最大的功臣便是毛衣。