"This has been an interesting week aboard Tangaroa, mainly because of the loss of contact with our dear buddy Happy Feet. However, everyone aboard is positive that he is ok and that the transmitter fell off. It's not easy applying transmitters to animals in a way that it causes the least disruption to the animal's natural behaviour. I think Happy Feet, who was definitely Mr Stroppy Feet towards the end of his journey, was determined to get the offending object off and I believe he succeeded! I saw him paying a lot of attention to preening the area where the transmitter was attached. He has a mind of his own about things that bird ;-). I believe he is alive and well and am hopeful that one day in the future his microchip will alert us all to the fact that he has returned to Antarctica to find a mate."
16 September
Dr. Lisa Argilla, Welllngton Zoo Vet
Happy Feet finally loses his name and is truly free. My last wish come true :)
I'm tweeting from a boat with a little sheet wrapped around me (just like at feeding time). Thank you all for your love. It means so much to me now. The nameless penguin will now leave the boat in search of the shiny, elusive fish. :)
<(")
He'll never be nameless. Enjoyed your posts.
ReplyDelete