Stranded emperor penguin Happy Feet given the all-clear

Penguin that strayed 2,000 miles from Antarctic to New Zealand beach can be returned to the wild in a few weeks New Zealand’s favourite penguin visitor has been given health clearance to be returned to the wild. The news comes five weeks after it was found on a beach more than 2,000 miles from its Antarctic home. The emperor penguin, nicknamed Happy Feet, has been recuperating at Wellington zoo since soon after it was discovered on the North Island. It is the first emperor penguin to be found in the wild in New Zealand in 44 years. It became ill after eating sand, which it may have mistaken for snow. Kate Baker, a spokeswoman for the zoo, said the penguin had gained about 4kg (9lb) and this week passed an x-ray and blood test. Baker said the penguin would probably be released offshore from the south end of the country sometime in the next few weeks. New Zealand Animals Animal behaviour Antarctica guardian.co.uk

Posted by on July 29, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.