The emperor penguin named 'Happy Feet'

In this Aug. 28, 2011 photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, emperor penguin "Happy Feet" is seen in his room at Wellington Zoo's hospital, New Zealand. The emperor penguin has been booked onto a research vessel scheduled to leave the country Aug. 29.



The penguin was found at Peka Peka beach on the Kapiti Coast in June with concerns for his health. Wellington Zoo intervened and nursed the penguin back to good health. He will be released into the Southern Ocean,



WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 29: The emperor penguin named 'Happy Feet' sits in his container aboard NIWA's research vessel Tangaroa, at Burnham Wharf on August 29, 2011 in Wellington, New Zealand.



WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 29: Gareth Morgan, who helped fund the electronic tracking equipment for the emperor penguin 'Happy Feet', holds a giant farewell card containing messages from around the world, beside NIWA's research vessel Tangaroa, at Burnham Wharf on August 29, 2011 in Wellington, New Zealand.



The penguin was found at Peka Peka beach on the Kapiti Coast in June with concerns for his health. Wellington Zoo intervened and nursed the penguin back to good health. He will be released into the Southern Ocean



The penguin was found at Peka Peka beach on the Kapiti Coast in June with concerns for his health. Wellington Zoo intervened and nursed the penguin back to good health. He will be released into the Southern Ocean



WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 29: The emperor penguin named 'Happy Feet' is transported to NIWA's research vessel Tangaroa, at Burnham Wharf on August 29, 2011 in Wellington, New Zealand.



WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 29: The emperor penguin named 'Happy Feet' stands in his container aboard NIWA's research vessel Tangaroa, at Burnham Wharf on August 29, 2011 in Wellington, New Zealand. The penguin was found at Peka Peka beach on the Kapiti Coast in June with concerns for his health. Wellington Zoo intervened and nursed the penguin back to good health. He will be released into the Southern Ocean, complete with GPS tracking device, from NIWA's research vessel four days into a month-long trip to the Campbell Islands, 700km south of New Zealand.


source: daylife
photo: Getty images