New Zealand’s „Happy Feet“ Penguin Passes Medical Check

New Zealand’s lost Emperor penguin, „Happy Feet,“ is recovering at Wellington Zoo after his first salt water swim earlier in the week.

The penguin became the focus of international attention after it turned up on a beach last month after swimming some 2,500 miles from its Antarctic home.

Since then, the penguin has had several surgeries to remove sand and other debris from its stomach.

[Lisa Argilla, Veterinarian]:
„We are giving him the best chance possible. He is going to be fit and healthy and he will, in my opinion anyway, have the same chance as any another Emperor penguin.“

On Thursday, the Emperor penguin passed a medical check involving blood tests and x-rays. He was also inserted with a tracking device.

New Zealand’s Department of Conservation plans to return him to the Antarctic at the end of August.

Foto: NTD