Happy Feet (penguin)

Happy Feet was an emperor penguin who, in June 2011, arrived at Peka Peka Beach in the Kāpiti Coast District of New Zealand's North Island after travelling about 3,200 kilometres (2,000 mi) from Antarctica. He was one of the northernmost emperor penguins ever recorded outside of captivity and the second emperor penguin to have been found in New Zealand. After arriving, he ingested sand on the beach, mistaking it for snow, and filled his proventriculus (stomach) with it. The penguin soon became lethargic, dehydrated and overheated and was transported to Wellington Zoo, where he was given a 50 per cent chance of survival. Most of the sand was removed and he was kept at the zoo for 10 weeks to recover.

Happy Feet was released in the Southern Ocean on 4 September 2011, about 78 kilometres (48 mi) north of Campbell Island, at the 51st parallel. He was fitted with a satellite transmitter to track his location; however, the device ceased transmission on 9 September, possibly due to the transmitter falling off or the penguin being preyed upon.

Happy Feet's arrival and recovery attracted worldwide media coverage, with over 600 media outlets reporting on the event. The penguin raised the public's awareness of wildlife, and for some time received more media attention than New Zealand Prime Minister John Key. Named after the 2006 film of the same name which features emperor penguins, Happy Feet was one of Time magazine's runner-ups for 2011 Animal of the Year. The penguin was the subject of a children's book written by Christine Wilton, who first sighted the penguin at the beach, and another children's book published by Penguin Books in late 2011.