It was a life well sphent.
A Gentoo penguin who found international stardom after entering a same-sex relationship with another male of the species has died at Australia’s Sea Life Aquarium.
Sphen was nearly 12 at the time of his recent passing. When workers brought surviving partner Magic to see the body for the last time, his touching reaction stirred onlookers, NBC reported.
“He immediately started singing, which was beautifully reciprocated by the colony,” said Richard Dilly, manager of the Sydney marine museum.
“The loss of Sphen is heartbreaking to the penguin colony, the team and everyone who has been inspired or positively impacted by Sphen and Magic’s story,” Dilly added.
Not only did the pair spend six years together as what the facility called a “same-sex penguin power couple,” in 2018 they co-parented a chick named Lara — adding a fourth family member, Clancy, in 2020.
“It’s quite common in birds that two of them will get together for co-parenting,” organismic biology professor Vincent Savolainen of Imperial College London told NBC.
“That can happen for multiple reasons, usually it could be advantageous, for example two males can co parent because they’re stronger and are better able to protect the egg.”
However, Savolainen said people may be extrapolating on the flightless birds’ sexuality.
“Whether it is really homosexual behavior, one can debate,” he added.
As for Magic’s future, he may be a loner for life now due to his age — or potentially connect with either a male or female penguin, according to the expert.
Sphen, however, is already being immortalized in love — his aquarium created a forum for fans of the penguin to share final thoughts.
“My heart stopped when I read this news. I have always loved these penguins and the story of their unbreakable bond. Sphen, you will be missed by thousands,” one wrote.
“Resting in peace I hope little guy, what a wonder to the world you were with your beautiful Magic,” added another.
“You were just being a penguin, but to us all, your love was so brave and so beautiful,” a third penned.
