Pictured: Australia’s oldest man knits jumpers for oil covered penguins

The oldest man in Australia is helping a rare breed of penguins get back on their feet, after they were covered in toxins following an oil spill in 2013.

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by Ellie Hooper |
Published on

Alfred Date, 109, has over 80 years of knitting experience. Which is why in 2013, when a rare species of penguin were threatened by an oil spill, the Victoria’s Phillip Island Penguin Foundation asked for his help.

Alfred with one of his creations
Alfred with one of his creations

According to the foundation, knitwear and jerseys stop the penguins from ingesting toxins left on their feathers from the spill, and stop them freezing.

It might sound crazy, but in 2001, 438 penguins were saved by knitwear after a similar oil spill, and experts hope the same will be true for this new set.

A fashionable jumper modelled by one of the oil hit penguins

Alfred, who is known as Alfie in his retirement home, said he couldn’t refuse when he was asked to contribute to the penguin relief effort, and has now moved onto knitting scarves and beanies for premature babies.

‘It’s a good way of getting along in life’ says the 109-year-old. ‘You make friends all the time, but you don’t make a fool of yourself either.’

For more about the penguins plight, visit the penguin foundation.

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