- The love story of Sphen the penguin and Magico the penguin has become a symbol of the LGBT community
- A pair of male penguins have even "adopted cubs"
- A penguin of bright memory is said to have lived a long and meaningful life
The love story of Sphen the penguin and Magico the penguin has become a symbol of the LGBT community
Can it be? Have penguins become homosexual? Well, if someone had said decades ago that the love story of two penguins would become a symbol of the LGBT community, they would probably have been looked at askance. But here we are today, with headlines about the death of a gay penguin in the media, and despite the sadness of the animal's death, even here rainbow flags are being raised, and small families of LGBT animals exist in zoos.
Sydney's SEA LIFE Aquarium community and penguin fans worldwide are mourning the sad news of the death of Sphen, a Papuan penguin who died in August at the age of twelve. This penguin seems to have redefined the concept of love in the animal world and proved that individual bonds can be deeper and more complex than anyone could have imagined.
The Sydney Aquarium poignantly shares in a release, "It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Sphen, one-half of one of the world's most famous and beloved penguin pairs, has sadly passed away.
Yes, it turns out that the bond between Sphen and Magico was something special: the two males became a couple during the mating season and maintained that bond even when they were not mating, which is, of course, extremely rare in the penguin world. The pair has received worldwide media attention, has become a symbol of the LGBT community and has inspired many people.
A pair of male penguins have even "adopted cubs"
And it doesn't stop there—Sphen and Magic have not only become a couple, they have started a family. Yes, you heard right. In 2018, the two males adopted their first chick, Sphengica, who was later nicknamed Lara. In 2020, their family was expanded with another adopter, Clancy.
According to reports, these cubs have been lovingly cared for, and their story has not only inspired many people around the world but also sparked discussions about love, family, and even the complexities of animal behavior. Impressively presented, right? However, those who say this whole situation is a great opportunity to celebrate diversity and love in all its forms seem to be out in force.
A penguin of bright memory is said to have lived a long and meaningful life
And so, when the time came to say goodbye to Sphen the gay penguin, the Sydney Aquarium expressed its deep sadness at this loss. But Sphen had lived a long and meaningful life, they said. Who would have thought that a penguin with an average lifespan of around twelve to thirteen years would leave such a profound impression and become a symbol of the LGBT community worldwide?
The Sydney Aquarium intends to continue caring for Magic and their offspring, ensuring that Sphen's legacy lives on for generations of penguins. The modern world is certainly full of surprises.
