Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Happy Feet a male penguin

Updated at 10:10 pm on 4 July 2011

Tests have confirmed an emperor penguin found on a Kapiti Coast beach in June is young male.

The Antarctic penguin dubbed Happy Feet was first spotted by a woman walking her dog along Peka Peka beach on 20 June.

The bird was taken to Wellington Zoo where sticks and sand were removed from its stomach after it became unwell.

Zoo spokesperson Kate Baker says it it got the DNA test results from Massey University on Monday afternoon.

Ms Baker says knowing the penguin's sex was not important in terms of his treatment, but it is something members of the public have been keen to learn.

The bird is now eating solid food and once he has gained weight and condition he will be ready for release back into the wild, she says.

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