SYDNEY. One of the partners of a family died in Australia at the age of 11 gay penguin couple since 2018, she has become an icon around the world for their union born from a meeting at the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium. A lifelong love had blossomed between the two and they had also ‘adopted’ two eggs from a deceased penguin, lovingly raising the two little ones, Sphengic called Lara and Clancy.
Magic and the colony’s reaction to Sphen’s death touched the Aquarium: Magic, 8, was brought by his caregivers to see his partner’s body, so he could understand that he would not be returning. He immediately began singing, the facility reported, with the entire colony joining in chorus. “The team’s attention is now on Magic, who will soon prepare for his first breeding season without his partner,” said the Aquarium’s General Manager Richard Dilly.
“The loss of Sphen is heartbreaking for the penguin colony, the team and all those who were inspired or positively impacted by the story of Sphen and Magic,” he added, hoping the sad event will “provide a moment of reflection and celebration of Sphen’s life, and of what an icon he was.” Featured in the Australian school curriculum and the Netflix series Atypical, the Sydney pair have had an “immeasurable” impact around the world “as symbols of equality and advocates for conservation,” the aquarium notes.
A subantarctic species, gentoo penguins live an average of 12 to 13 years and are known for having very affectionate, monogamous bonds. Magic and Sphen had been together for six years: they had seen each other and bowed to each other, in a clear gesture of courtship.
2024-08-23 14:33:32