Lost penguin Happy Feet freed south of New Zealand

[Omaha Steve]

Source: BBC

A lost emperor penguin who washed up on a New Zealand beach in June has been released back into the Southern Ocean to begin its swim home to Antarctica.

Nicknamed Happy Feet, he was released from the research vessel Tangaroa on Sunday morning about 50 miles (80km) north of the remote Campbell Island.

He was returned to the wild after recovering from surgery to remove 3kg (6.6lb) of sand from his stomach.

Last week, hundreds of people visited Wellington Zoo to bid farewell to him.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-14777994

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[Judi Lynn]

1. Sure hoping the little fella can make it, and not get lost again.

He needs to find his home.

Thank you, Omaha Steve. Rec.

[Rhiannon12866]

2. K&R! Thanks for the great news!

I hope that the little guy is going to be okay now... :loveya:

[Matilda]

3. You can follow his progress here -

http://www.ourfarsouth.org/Track-Happy-Feet.aspx

[Kennah]

5. Are you shitting me? He's going to swim 2,600 kilometers?

[a la izquierda]

6. That's kind of what I was wondering.

That seems really, really far. But what do I know?

[UTUSN]

8. Well, he *did* fatten up, got spoiled, & had to be pushed into the water.

Maybe he needs to work it off?!1

[Judi Lynn]

11. He lost 17 pounds, gained 18 after surgery. He had been starving to death by himself on the beach.

As for not knowing immediately what to do the moment they thrust him onto the slide, that's more than completely understandable.

http://www.thehindu.com.nyud.net:8090/multimedia/dynamic/00772/TH04-NEW_ZEALAND-AN_772840f.jpg
Don't begrudge this little guy any attention he got after he was discovered dying on the beach and rescued.

[Auntie Bush]

13. Why can't he be delivered by boat a little closer to Antarctica?

Why make him swim so far? I know there must be some logistics problems but it sure would be easier for him and could make the difference in his living or dying.

[Matilda]

9. He would have swum that far to get to New Zealand from Antarctica in the first place.

He's actually quite big, and it's amazing how far sea creatures can swim.

[Kennah]

12. Something seemed amiss, but I stand corrected.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_Penguin

"Vagrants have been recorded on Heard Island, South Georgia, and in New Zealand."

"Both male and female Emperor Penguins forage for food up to 500 km (311 mi) from colonies while collecting food to feed chicks, covering 82 - 1,454 km (51 - 903 mi) per individual per trip."

[Matilda]

15. He swam 31kms yesterday,

following only 7 the day before, so perhaps he now has his bearings.

Apparently there are laws against ships taking any animal or bird into the Antarctic waters - I suppose that's to do with the possibility of introducing diseases, or creatures alien to the area. But he's within a normal, if slightly extreme range of his natural home, so hopefully he won't get lost this time.

[Skittles]

4. I love these kind of stories

because they show humans at their best - New Zealand done itself proud :thumbsup:

[Locrian]

7. Hoboken?! Ohhhh I'm Dieing!!!

[Judi Lynn]

10. Still headed south, fortunately.

http://www.thehindu.com.nyud.net:8090/multimedia/dynamic/00772/TH04-NEW_ZEALAND-AN_772840f.jpg

Track Happy Feet
http://www.ourfarsouth.org/Track-Happy-Feet.aspx

[Judi Lynn]

14. Follow a Newly Released Penguin on Google Maps as He Swims to Antarctica

Follow a Newly Released Penguin on Google Maps as He Swims to Antarctica
http://www.geekosystem.com/penguin-tracker/

[Matilda]

16. There's something exhilarating about following a lone little bird

in such a big ocean.

His only enemies in the region are orcas and leopard seals, and he can swim faster than they can, so hopefully, all he has to do now is stay on course.

This is the best nature event since the Decorah Eagle fledglings left their nest.