'Happy Feet' Penguin Tracker: Follow The Animal Back To Antarctica [UPDATE]

"Happy Feet" Is heading home, and you can follow him.

The wayward emperor penguin who washed up on a New Zealand beach in late June began his journey back to Antarctica last Monday as a research vessel dropped him off closer to his Southern home. Since then, he's been slowly snaking his way home, despite first turning North.

The penguin gained the name from his similarity to a situation in the animated film "Happy Feet."

The Associated Press reports that the penguin was moved to a zoo after he confused sand for snow and became sick. Karen Fifield, Wellington Zoo's chief executive said, "He's brought a lot of hope and joy to people ... His story has driven to the heart of what makes us human."

Just because this little guy is free to roam now doesn't mean that it's the last we'll ever hear of him. Just like in the movie, he's been fit with a tracking device that lets people watch his movements online.

UPDATE: The Happy Feet tracker has apparently gone offline on Monday September 12, leaving many questions about the penguin's fate.

From Sirtrack:

This leads to the conclusion that either the satellite transmitter has detached or an unknown event has prevented Happy Feet from resurfacing.

While there is still a small chance solar flares disrupted the satellites being used to track him, whether or not that's the case won't be known for another 48 hours. Hopefully, Happy Feet is still alive, and the tracker is experiencing problems.

You can access the tracker by clicking here, or on the Sirtrack image below. Scroll down for video footage of Happy Feet's release.

WATCH:

Comments

[Broadway96]

04:49 PM on 09/12/2011

Happy Feet is inside a Sharks belly now..lol Or it fell off

[floodberg]

12:16 AM on 09/08/2011

Go have a great life, Happy Feet!  We miss you, so don't forget to write!

[Riddley Walker]

09:38 PM on 09/07/2011

So long, and thanks for all the fish.

[Broadway96]

04:49 PM on 09/12/2011

haha Hitchhikers reference Love it.

[fidk]

02:06 PM on 09/07/2011

I hope the Japanese don't find him and eat him as their newest delicacy!

[Ecolke]

10:26 AM on 09/07/2011

Between the fires, floods, heat, famine, climate change, melting Arctic, oil spills and tar sands and lying Republicans, this world's problems push me to overload at times.

Some days....I just have to read and watch the things that are encouraging. Go little Happy Feet. Bon Voyage you beautiful little penguin!

[gp341]

09:51 AM on 09/07/2011

NO WONDER he needed a push. Who wants to be dropped off in the middle of NOWHERE.
They couldn't have brought him a little closer to his buddies??????????

[lita m]

04:10 AM on 09/07/2011

I have to admit to chuckling out loud when they gave a little nudge down the ramp and into the water. (I just imagined him thinking, "Hey, what the hell?") It reminded me of that video that made the rounds a while back where a penguin sticks out his flipper to trip another penguin, causing him to fall into the water....

Good luck to the little guy.

[kooosh]

11:32 PM on 09/06/2011

Bon voyage penguin.

[rbarry647]

11:32 PM on 09/06/2011

Oh nooooos he is turning around - you are heading in the wrong direction little fella

[PostModernGuy]

11:02 PM on 09/06/2011

Wait, doesn't he live in Hoboken?

[Donna Frano]

10:11 PM on 09/06/2011

Shouldn't they have named him "Mumble"?

[macmanchgo]

10:07 PM on 09/06/2011

That was the least enthusiastic return back to nature I have seen yet. Gotta wonder if he was ready for it with that display of confidence.

[dannyconda]

10:01 PM on 09/06/2011

You went all the way to New Zealand mate, and you come back wearing a wire???
What, were you abducted by aliens???

[Tom Servo]

09:41 PM on 09/06/2011

Animals + Science . I love it. Go get 'em tiger! Stop turning left and you will make better time!

[Sunwyn Ravenwood]

08:39 PM on 09/06/2011

Good for you little fellow! Thanks guys and gals for saving the little one!