Sphen the penguin, one half of gay 'power couple', dies age 11

Sphen and his partner Magic shot to global stardom in 2018 when they fell in love at a Sydney aquarium.

British Broadcasting CorporationWatchHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureTravelEarthVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS ElectionUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessWomen at the HelmFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureTravelEarthVideoLiveAudioWeatherNewslettersOne half of world-famous gay penguin couple diesSea Life Sydney AquariumSphen and Magic's love story captivated the world Sphen the gentoo penguin - one half of a world-famous same-sex "power couple" - has died in Australia, aged 11.

He and his partner Magic shot to global stardom in 2018 when they fell in love at the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, later adopting and raising two chicks.

Their romance has inspired a Mardi Gras float, been referenced in Australia's education syllabus, and even featured in the Netflix series Atypical.

The Sea Life Sydney Aquarium said Sphen had an "immeasurable" impact around the world as a symbol of equality and a conduit for the conservation cause.

The penguin's health had deteriorated in the days leading up to his death, and the aquarium's veterinary team made the difficult decision earlier this month to euthanise Sphen to end his pain and discomfort.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1w78ylrq8jo

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