When I last wrote about Happy Feet (the intrepid emperor penguin who took an extended vacation in New Zealand while recovering from a very long swim and a belly full of sand and twigs), he was being pampered at the Wellington Zoo while fans from around the world watched and waited to see what would become of him. However, as with all vacations, the time came for him to go home. He was recently given the all-clear for travel and last week was made the guest of honor on a research vessel traveling to the Southern Ocean. His first-class treatment, and the tracking device that was attached so that people everywhere can follow along on his journey, were made possible by donations both large and small. Hundreds of people showed up to mark the bitter-sweet occasion of his farewell from the zoo.
Happy Feet’s treatment didn’t come without some politics and criticism. The