Wandering 'Happy Feet' penguin heading home after New Zealand jaunt

The wandering penguin nicknamed 'Happy Feet' after he was washed up in New Zealand is heading home to the Antarctic, Wellington Zoo has announced.

'Happy Feet', the penguin found wandering on a New Zealand beach in June, is heading home (Picture: PA)

 

The Emperor penguin, an adult male and only the second of his kind ever recorded in New Zealand, will be shipped back to sub-antarctic waters on August 29.
Happy Feet was found wandering on Peka Peka Beach on the country's North Island in June, then taken to the zoo to recuperate after mistaking sand for snow and eating it.
Now, with a series of operations and a diet of 'fish milkshakes' behind him, he's back to a healthy enough state for the swim home.


According to Karen Fifield, chief executive at Wellington Zoo, the little creature will be shipped him back to the Southern Ocean on a scientific research vessel - the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research's ship Tangaroa.
He'll be housed in a special crate designed to keep him 'cold and comfortable' during the journey, with trained staff on hand to look after him.

'This is an excellent result for everyone involved, and for the penguin, and is a great example of organisations working together for the best outcome,' Ms Fifield remarked.
Before he's released, Happy Feet will be fitted with a tracking device so scientists - and his many fans among the public - can keep an eye on his progress via the zoo's website.


Staff at Wellington Zoo are also planning to hold a farewell party for him, with guests invited to wear black and white as a special penguin homage.

Emperor penguins live in colonies - ranging in size from a few hundred to more than 20,000 pairs - in Antarctica.

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