1 He needed a little push before speeding backward down a makeshift slide. Once in the water, he, popped his head up for one last look. And then he was gone.
The wayward emperor penguin known as "Happy Feet" was back home in
Antarctic waters after an extended sojourn spent capturing hearts in New
Zealand
2 Happy Feet was released into the ocean south of New Zealand on Sunday, more
than two months after he came ashore on a beach nearly 2,000 miles from
home and became an instant celebrity.
3 Speaking from a satellite phone aboard the research vessel Tangaroa,
Wellington Zoo veterinarian Lisa Argilla said Happy Feet's release went
remarkably smoothly given that the boat was being tossed about in 25-foot
swells in the unforgiving Antarctic Ocean.
4 Argilla said crew members from the boat
carried the penguin inside his
custom-built crate to the stern of the
ship for his final send-off about
50 nautical miles north of remote
Campbelt Island. The crew had already
cut the engines and put in place a
canvas slide that they soaked with water
from a hose.
5 But when they opened the door of the
crate, the penguin showed no interest in
leaving.
6 "I needed to give him a little tap on his
back," Argilla said.
7 The penguin slipped down the slide on
his stomach, bottom first, she said. He
resurfaced about 6 feet from the boat,
On board the Tangaroa, Happy Feet
took a look up at the people aboard, and
takes a last look around before his si
into Antarctic waters near Campbell
then disappeared beneath the surface.
Island. The crate behind him served