By Charlotte Shipman
Hundreds turned up to Wellington Zoo to farewell its very popular emperor penguin Happy Feet.
He will leave the capital tomorrow and will be allowed to pick his own path once he has been released back into the wild.
1700 people visited wellington zoo to say goodbye to Happy Feet and wish him a safe journey – a sentiment shared by the staff at Wellington Zoo.
Since being rescued from Peka Peka beach in late June, Happy Feet has put on eight kilograms and now weighs just over 28 kilograms.
His sixth and final public procedure included super-gluing a tracking device to his lower back.
The tracking device is expected to stay on the penguin for up to four months. It will start transmitting when Happy Feet is released.
Zoo goers were encouraged to wear black and white as a tribute to the emperor penguin.
Once released, nature will be allowed to take its course no matter what direction the wayward penguin chooses.
Wellington Zoo vet manager Lisa Argilla says they are not planning on intervening.
“He needs to have a chance to sort out his bearings and just because he swims north for a bit doesn't mean he will get lost again.”
Ms Argilla says she is excited to see her popular patient back in the wild.
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