Penguin out of order

[Donna]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RT3tsylDc2s#wsSafe travels Happy Feet

[Bobbie Ireland]

Oooooo, Good Luck, Happy Feet!!

Occasionally, there is a TV series broadcast on TV here re the work of Wellington Zoo. I have always been pleased to happen upon it, as they seem to have such a wonderful empathy with all their charges. So, if any group is going to do its best for Happy Feet, they're the ones.

Looking forward to seeing updates - with a mixture of hope and trepidation, tho.

[MAK]

  Be safe little guy and remember to backstroke if ya get tired!!! 

[Donna]

Happy Feet nearly 'home'

The wayward emperor penguin Happy Feet is nearing the Southern Ocean spot where he'll be released for his trip back to Antarctica.

NIWA research ship the Tangaroa is just 120 nautical miles from the area where they will put the bird back in the water, but it's battling 50 knot winds and seven-metre swells.

Spokesman Rob Murdoch says Happy Feet will have to stay in his specially designed container a wee while longer.

Despite the rough conditions in the Southern Ocean, Happy Feet is said to be travelling well.

RadioLIVE



Happy Feet release may be delayed by storm  Follow up story

Stormy seas could mean Happy Feet will not be released into the ocean until Saturday.

Wellington Zoo vet Lisa Argilla said plans to release the emperor penguin tomorrow [Friday] may have to be delayed because of sea conditions.

She is travelling with Happy Feet on board the Tangaroa to his release location, a latitude of about 51 degrees, near the Sub Antarctic Islands.

They left Wellington on Monday and are today making slow progress off the South Island's east coast.

Track Happy Feet's progress on our map here

To track the Tangaroa go to www.sailwx.info and type  'Tangaroa' into the search box.

Dr Argilla said despite the rough conditions, Happy Feet was faring well.

"You wouldn't even know that the sea was rough, he's just standing in his crate, rocking backwards and forwards with the swells. He looks great."

Dr Argilla said in her blog from the vessel that the release date could still change, depending on how much progress they were able to make.

"Because of this storm we're trekking through we're going a bit slower so hoping that Saturday morning will be release day and not Friday."

The team onboard the Tangaroa had carried out a kind of trial release which had gone well.

They are planning to release Happy Feet into the ocean using a special slide on the ramp at the back of the boat.

"Everything is looking good, so fingers crossed his release will go without a hitch.

Slide which Happy Feet will be released into the Ocean.
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=204465466676872181120.0004ab34c32ad17b41db4&ie=UTF8&t=h&vpsrc=6&ll=-49.482401,169.562988&spn=5.710959,13.513184&z=6&source=embed Map of route.

[Donna]

Sunday 04 September 11am

Woohoo! Happy Feet is free!!!

He needed some gentle encouragement to leave the safety of his crate that has been his home for 6 days. 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 ;-). What a story he is going to have to tell his mates when he catches up with them.

He was released at 10:28am, a bit earlier then scheduled, and we were only 49miles away from Campbell Island. The crew were all present to see the celebrity depart and there was lots of excitement because it went so smoothly. They were all amazing, designing and setting up the slide to go over the ramp at the back of the boat. It's an indescribable feeling to see a patient finally set free! Definitely the best part of the job!

Good luck Mr HF, keep safe, swim home SOUTH please, find some mates, and please stay away from those orcas and leopard seals!!

Lisa

Good luck Happy Feet, get to Antarctica quick!

[jeanne]

Be safe, little one and swim free!

[Donna]

http://www.3news.co.nz/Happy-Feets-first-night-on-NIWAs-ship---Extended-footage/tabid/309/articleID/224055/Default.aspx Happy Feet's departure.


http://www.3news.co.nz/Haere-Ra-Happy-Feet/tabid/1216/articleID/224503/Default.aspx Took some coaxing but....   Video of Happy Feet's release.

[carly]

Thank you for the links of his release, he sure didn't look like he wanted to go.  I hope he's not been imprinted.  Good luck little buddy, hope you find your way home safely.

[nwfloridafalconfan]

Two of our three adopted dogs were "released" like this on our dirt road.  We usually refer to the practice as "dumping". 

[Donna]

Two of our three adopted dogs were "released" like this on our dirt road.  We usually refer to the practice as "dumping". 

So sad for them. Oh do you consider this dumping! I wish they could have taken him further, the seas were rough. I'm not sure of this whole idea but I guess they had to do what they had to. Just hope he survives to tell his tale.

[nwfloridafalconfan]

Two of our three adopted dogs were "released" like this on our dirt road.  We usually refer to the practice as "dumping". 

So sad for them. Oh do you consider this dumping! I wish they could have taken him further, the seas were rough. I'm not sure of this whole idea but I guess they had to do what they had to. Just hope he survives to tell his tale.

Good for them, really, because now they live on Easy Street.

Dumping was the first thing that came to mind when I saw him splash into the sea.  I'm sure the releasers know more than I'll ever care to know about penguins, but 49 miles just seems a long way for him to navigate when he's already proven he doesn't know north from south.  Maybe southern hemisphere miles are shorter?

[Donna]

Two of our three adopted dogs were "released" like this on our dirt road.  We usually refer to the practice as "dumping".  

So sad for them. Oh do you consider this dumping! I wish they could have taken him further, the seas were rough. I'm not sure of this whole idea but I guess they had to do what they had to. Just hope he survives to tell his tale.

Good for them, really, because now they live on Easy Street.

Dumping was the first thing that came to mind when I saw him splash into the sea.  I'm sure the releasers know more than I'll ever care to know about penguins, but 49 miles just seems a long way for him to navigate when he's already proven he doesn't know north from south.  Maybe southern hemisphere miles are shorter?

Totally understand, I just wish they didn't give him that push. Mixed feelings on this whole thing from the beginning. Instead of just letting him lay there for days eating sand and sticks, knowing a rescue was inevitable, they should have rescued him at first sighting. I certainly do know what "dumping" is NFF, we have lots of it here also. Glad you took 2 of the dogs in!

[MAK]

  Happy Feet clearly didn't want to go. I hope he makes out alright. 

[margaret]

 
I LOVE happy endings!  I hope Happy Feet  keeps swimming south.  Bless all that helped him!

[Donna]

The transmitter has successfully sent several signals since the bird was released, and showed that he has moved slightly east then south since release. Of course there is no guarantee that he will continue to swim south (he swam north last time he was in the sea!). It may take a few days for him to get his bearings and start moving in a definite direction.

A snipet from the blog! Where ever he ends up, people will know him!