Stranded NZ penguin is a boy

DNA results for the emperor penguin nicknamed Happy Feet found on a New Zealand beach two weeks ago show that it's a boy. Wellington Zoo spokeswoman says the penguin's sex was identified from cells scraped from his feathers.

It's a boy. DNA results are back for the emperor penguin nicknamed Happy Feet found on a New Zealand beach two weeks ago.

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Wellington Zoo spokeswoman Kate Baker says the penguin's sex was identified from cells scraped from his feathers. Male and female emperor penguins outwardly appear identical.

Baker said on Tuesday the penguin is recovering nicely after four procedures to flush sand and debris from his stomach. He now eats more than 4 pounds (2 kilograms) of salmon daily.

Emperor penguins typically live their entire lives in and around Antarctica. He's the first emperor seen in the wild in New Zealand in 44 years.

It may take months for him to recover, but New Zealand wildlife officials plan to release him in the Southern Ocean eventually.