Vale: Australia’s Beloved Gay Penguin Sphen Has Passed Away
Image: Image: Supplied.
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium have shared the news that Sphen, one half of Sydney’s beloved and famous gay gentoo penguin couple, has sadly passed away.
Sphen passed away shortly before his 12th birthday of natural causes.
Staff brought his partner of six years Magic to go see him to help him process the loss and understand his partner wouldn鈥檛 return. They said Magic immediately started singing, and the entire gentoo colony joined in.
鈥淚t was a very beautiful moment, the air was just filled with their singing,鈥� penguin keeper Renee Howell told The Guardian.
鈥淚t showed the impact [Sphen] had on his partner and that [Magic] actually recognised that his partner was there.
鈥淪oon after, he became quite protective of his partner and that was a very emotional time for us, but we needed to do that in order for him to hopefully comprehend what had happened.鈥�
Howell also said they weren’t sure what the singing meant and they’d never seen behaviour like it in gentoo penguins before 鈥� penguins will typically bow or sing to one another during courtship.
But the keeper says it was such a beautiful moment, and there wasn’t a dry eye among the staff of the aquarium
鈥淚n that moment for us, it was a beautiful send-off.鈥�
The love story and legacy of Sphen and Magic
Sphen and Magic’s love story . It inspired a float in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, and has been , Netflix series Atypical, and countless books and documentaries.
Through Sphen and Magic鈥檚 fame, the aquarium has been able to share important messages on conservation, plastic pollution, global warming, and the importance of protecting wild penguins through fundraising initiatives.
The couple were together for six years, and .
Keepers at the aquarium say that Sphen and Magic had a unique bond. They could be found together outside of the breeding season, which is unique for gentoo penguins.
鈥淭he loss of Sphen is heartbreaking to the penguin colony, the team and everyone who has been inspired or positively impacted by Sphen and Magic鈥檚 story,” said Richard Dilly, General Manager of SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium.
鈥淲e want to take this opportunity to reflect and celebrate Sphen鈥檚 life, remembering what an icon he was, the unique bond he shared with Magic and the positive impact he made in the world.
鈥淪phen and Magic鈥檚 love story captivated the world and it鈥檚 been an honour to welcome local and international fans, some of which travelled long distances to see them in real life. The team鈥檚 focus is now on Magic, who聽will soon prepare for his first breeding season without Sphen.鈥�
The SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium are encouraging fans of Sphen and Magic to .
Vale, Sphen.
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