15/08/2011
Happy Feet took advantage of the cold weather to take a swim in Wellington today.
ANDREW GORRIE/Dominion Post
TOO COLD: Even Happy Feet the emperor penguin
wasn't too keen on staying in the pool for long when given the chance
this morning.
The emperor penguin gained worldwide fame after he was discovered on a Kapiti Coast beach in June.
Staff at Wellington Zoo let Happy Feet out at 10am this morning to take a dip in a saltwater pool.
A vet had to give him a nudge to get him into the water and he spent about 20 seconds swimming around before heading back to his enclosure.
Happy Feet also took at swim last month when cold weather hit the region.
Zoo staff said the swim was a chance for Happy Feet to get some exercise and test how waterproof his coat is.
The Conservation Department is planning to return him to the sea from a boat off the Bluff coast.
Happy Feet is the first known emperor penguin to swim the more than 3000 kilometres to New Zealand from Antarctica in 44 years.
He has been a popular drawcard at Wellington Zoo when hundreds of people have visited him.
At least $30,000 has been spent saving Happy Feet at a time when conservation budgets for safeguarding other wildlife are being slashed.
But the bird has provided priceless publicity for wildlife in general, says Forest and Bird.
video available at source
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