Sphen, half of gay penguin power couple, dies and Magic mourns in song at Sydney aquarium
Gay Gentoo penguin Sphen has died, Sydney Sea Life Aquarium said Thursday, and partner Magic led the community in song.
They were the penguin power couple, a world-famous same-sex pairing whose love was taught about in schools and inspired a pride parade float. Now Magic, mourning Sphen's death, has led their community in a tribute song.
Sphen died earlier this month just before his 12th birthday, the Sydney Sea Life Aquarium said Thursday, a long life for a Gentoo penguin in captivity who can live up to 13 years.
“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,” the aquarium’s general manager Richard Dilly said in a statement.
To process the loss of his partner, Magic, 8, was taken to Sphen’s body “so that he could understand his partner wouldn’t return,” Dilly said.
“He immediately started singing, which was beautifully reciprocated by the colony,” Dilly added.
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