‘Happy Feet’ Emperor Penguin Heads for Final Destination: PHOTOS of Release into Ocean

The lost Emperor Penguin that washed up on a New Zealand beach in June was released finally into sub Antarctic waters in the Southern Ocean on Sunday.

Nick named “Happy Feet” after the 2006 animation film the Emperor Penguin’s arrival was the second ever recorded according to New Zealand's Department of Conservation.

The young penguin that attracted worldwide media attention when it washed up on Peka Peka Beach in New Zealand after straying more than 3,000 Kilometers (1,864 miles) from home was finally released by scientist to send it back to its home, the Antarctica, where Emperor Penguins are usually found.

It slid into the Southern Ocean from its crate on the New Zealand research ship Tangaroa near Campbell Island, New Zealand September 4, 2011, over two months after it underwent surgery, Reuters reported.

The penguin, which was kept at Wellington Zoo, was operated upon to remove sand and sticks from its stomach, which the bird assumingly ate mistaking it for snow.

Here are the final pictures showing the release of “Happy Feet” Emperor Penguin into the sub Antarctic waters: