Penguin Mourns for His Mate. Together They Raised Chicks
Sphen, an Australian gentoo penguin, died of natural causes at the age of 11, the Sydney Aquarium said Thursday, while his mate Magic is mourning the loss.
The penguins shot to worldwide fame in 2018 after they were spotted wading and swimming together ahead of the breeding season. The same-sex penguin pair, known as Sphengic, have inspired millions with their unshakable bond. Together they have raised two chicks: Lara, 6, and Clancy, 4.
Countless books and films have explored their love story, according to Sea Life Sydney Aquarium. The pair have also been included in the New South Wales school curriculum and have appeared in the Netflix series Atypical.
“The loss of Sphen is heartbreaking for the penguin colony, the team and all those who were positively impacted by this story. We want to take this opportunity to reflect and celebrate Sphen’s life, remembering the icon he was,” said Richard Dilly, aquarium director.
The average lifespan of a gentoo penguin is about 12-13 years.
– Our team is now focused on Magic, who will soon be preparing for his first breeding season without Sphen, he added.
Male penguins raised offspring
In 2018, Sphen and Magic became parents after being entrusted with hatching a “spare” egg donated by another penguin couple. Gentoo penguins often lay two eggs each breeding season, but subantarctic penguins usually have the resources to incubate and raise one egg, so the “spare” chick may not survive. Not so – on October 19, 2018, the loving parents hatched an adorable, 91-gram penguin chick named Lara, CNN reported.
In 2020, the Sphengic family expanded to four members when Clancy joined it.
Condolences and tributes from fans of the deceased penguin have poured in to the aquarium. Sphen and Magic are not the only same-sex penguins to have successfully raised chicks. Couples from New York and Spain have also become parents.
