What a coincidence. Those who have read my manuscript submitted for the Golden Point Award writing competition would be in awe by the similarity of how my story begins and the recent media sensation in New Zealand. I can assure you that my idea is original. The first draft of my story was written in June 17th. The Emperor Penguin that found his way to New Zealand was rescued on June 23rd (I think). Anyway, I had no prior knowledge of such news. Cynthia said it was a premonition. I don’t think I am that magical, beyond the realms of Warcraft. It is a pure coincidence. And I better make sure that I shall append a small clarification note if and when my story is published.
No one knows why a 3.5 years old Emperor Penguin ended up in New Zealand. The nearest iceberg – a natural habitat of an Emperor Penguin – is 2,200 km away. The locals named him “Happy Feet”. Under the care of Wellington Zoo, Happy Feet has recuperated, well enough to be freed into the ocean. When I met my New Zealand colleague this morning, I shared with him the happy news. He was surprised that I am in touch with New Zealand news. I was surprised that he too is passionate about Happy Feet. How do you reckon Happy Feet can find his way home, I asked. Magnetic fields, he answered. How nice if we could tell directions by sensing the invisible force eh? Some creatures are oh so smart.
In order to track Happy Feet’s whereabouts, the New Zealand scientists have glued a tiny satellite signal transmission device onto his back. You too can follow his progress in real time like I do (click here). I do not know how this story would end. A few hours ago, there was hardly any update. So I asked myself, is he still alive? As of now, Happy Feet seems to head somewhat south. It looks as though there is still much distance to cover. Some netizens fantasize if Happy Feet would find his family. I doubt if we will ever know. And I have watched enough animal channels to know that the living condition can be harsh down south. All of a sudden, I wondered: Would it be better if we don’t know his whereabouts at all? Just take it for granted that he is off to a better place?
Too late for that. I think I am glued to that website for quite some time.
3 replies on “Will “Happy Feet” The Emperor Penguin Reach Home Safe?”
South is the most logical route for Happy Feet and despite it would be harsh I bet it is the best place for a penguin (if you have watched the cartoon Happy Feet :P). Happy Feet will definitely reach a destination where he could call home. Wildlife always have the best instinct for survival. Keep us posted of Happy Feet’s destination.
J – Since last Friday, we have lost the signal of Happy Feet. It is assumed that we may not hear from the penguin any more.
An excerpt of the news as below.
“It is unlikely that we will ever know what caused the transmissions to cease, but it is time to harden up to the reality that the penguin has returned to the anonymity from which he emerged on 20 June. The Sirtrack team will keep trying to recover a signal, and we will post an update if they succeed. And maybe, just maybe, he will surprise us all by turning up at a monitored emperor penguin colony, where the transponder inserted under the skin on his thigh will remind us all that once upon a time, a long time ago, he was more than just another penguin.”
Thanks for the updates Wilfrid.