Wellington, Sept 4 (ANI): Happy Feet has finally been released into the Southern Ocean - two months after he was found on Peka Peka beach, exhausted and hungry after journeying 1,000 km north away from his normal habitat.
The emperor penguin was freed just north of Campbell Island, from the stern ramp of the research vessel Tangaora, with Happy Feet housed in a specially designed crate filled with ice.
Although the journey south was hampered by rough conditions, yet the Tangaroa finally made it to the 51 degrees latitude overnight.
Since the sea conditions were rough to release the penguin by hand, he was released by a tarpaulin "hydro-slide" from the boat's ramp and just needed some "gentle encouragement" to leave his crate.
"He slid down his specially designed penguin slide backwards but once he hit the water he spared no time in diving off away from the boat and all those 'aliens' who have been looking after him for so long," Stuff.co.nz quoted Lisa Argilla, the Wellington zoo vet who was taking care of the penguin as saying.
The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research team and boat crew were all on deck to say goodbye to their patient.
"It's an indescribable feeling to see a patient finally set free!"
Richard O'Driscoll, the voyage leader, said that leaving aside a few nips at feeding time, Happy Feet had been a well-behaved passenger.
"It's been a pleasure to have Happy Feet onboard," O'Driscoll said
"We are just happy to help him on his journey home," he added.
The penguin has been fitted with a tracking device to enable the team and public to follow his progress back home. (ANI)
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