A young Emperor penguin, knick-named Happy Feet, came ashore 4000kms away from his home in Antarctica to arrive at Peka Peka Beach. It is a mystery how he came to be so far off course, and since his arrival, has been attracting quite a following. Penguins in Antarctica swallow ice when trying to cool down. Not knowing any better, Happy Feet has swallowed a large amount of sand and sticks while on the beach. After four days of eating sand his condition has deteriorated and fears are held for his survival.
Photo: Ross Giblin, The Dominion Post
Yesterday officials from Te Papa Museum and Department of Conservation staff packed the penguin in a box of ice and rushed him to the Vets in Wellington Zoo. The penguin survived a four hour operation to clear the large amount of sand and small sticks from his oesophagus. However, x-rays confirm that there is still quite a lot of sand in his stomach, and is still in grave danger.
Photo: Chris Skelton, The Dominion Post
Happy Feet has awakened and is recuperating in a temperature controlled room. Nibbling ice, and with the promise of a meal of fish slurry soon, he will be carefully monitored. His long term future is unclear, but hopefully he can be returned closer to his home sometime in the future. We certainly wish him well.
2 comments:
How amazing!
Hi guys, this has just made national news over here in the UK! Heard it first from you though!
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