Penguin critically ill after second surgery in New Zealand

[bemildred]

Wellington Zoo veterinarian Lisa Argilla said the penguin, thought to be about 10 months old and dubbed "Happy Feet" in honour of the 2006 film about emperor penguins, remained critically ill, the Sunday Star-Times said.

Vets told the Star-Times that there was still more sand in Happy Feet's stomach and while the penguin might undergo another procedure tomorrow, additional surgery may further endanger his life.

Ms Argilla told the paper one danger was that the sand might harden into balls that could rupture the penguin's stomach.

It was thought the penguin may have mistaken the sand for snow.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/penguin-critically-ill-after-second-surgery-in-new-zealand/story-e6frf7k6-1226082105594

[FLAprogressive]

1. Hugo Chavez has something in common with a penguin, apparently.

[mysuzuki2]

2. Thank the gods that penguin lives in New Zealand

where they have universal healthcare!

[KittyWampus]

3. Poor critter, so far from home. Hope he makes it.

[AtomicKitten]

4. They think he mistook sand for snow. Poor baby. :(

[bemildred]

5. Yeah.

Anybody can get lost. And two surgeries. But at least not eaten yet.

[hyphenate]

6. :( I hope he pulls through! eom

[grasswire]

7. they were letting nature take its own course until millions of people..

...heard about this and became engaged in the story. They could have taken him into care earlier, sad to say.