KENT BLECHYNDEN/Dominion Post
ON THE MEND: Happy Feet the penguin was in a "stable" condition, said Wellington Zoo.
Wellington Zoo spokeswoman Kate Baker said the penguin was in a "stable" condition and it was hoped a stomach flushing procedure at 11am tomorrow would remove more sand and debris from its stomach.
After the surgery the zoo hoped to x-ray the bird to see if further surgery was needed, Baker said.
Happy Feet sparked international interest when it arrived unexpectedly at Peka Peka Beach, 60km north of Wellington, more than 3000 kilometres from its Antarctic birth place, early last week.
The penguin was taken to Wellington Zoo after it became ill from eating sand and sticks.
RELEASING HAPPY FEET
The specially formed Penguin Advisory Committee has decided the best option would be to release the penguin in the sub-Antarctic waters of the Southern Ocean.
However, the Zoo's veterinary science manager Lisa Argilla warned that even doing this would have its risks and Happy Feet would need to be taken some distance from land.
"We don't want to have visibility of the land mass. He's a bit of a sand eater."
Although it was difficult to estimate how long it would take before Happy Feet was well enough to be released, Argilla said it was likely he would remain at Wellington Zoo for a month.
The zoo would need to ensure it could keep up the supply of party ice, and might need to get a larger air conditioning unit.
Recent cold weather meant it was easier to keep his small room cooler.
A webcam linked up to the dark room where the penguin is being kept showed him moving around a little and standing up on the ice.
Happy Feet is not on general display at the zoo.
- KIRAN CHUG/Dominion Post with NZPA
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