One-half of Sydney‘s famous same-sex penguin couple, Sphen, has died at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium.
Gentoo penguin Sphen made headlines around the world in 2018 when news got out of his bond with another male gentoo penguin, Magic.
When the pair started making a nest together out of pebbles ahead of breeding season in 2018, SEA LIFE staff gave them a foster egg to care for.
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They ended up raising two foster chicks – Sphengic (Lara) in 2018 and Clancy in 2020 – and are among the most strongly bonded gentoo penguin pairs at the aquarium.
The pair inspired a Sydney Mardi Gras float in their honour, have been included in the NSW education syllabus, and even featured in the Netflix series Atypical.
They are many books and documentaries on same-sex animal couples that feature Sphen and Magic.
Sphen passed away at the aquarium earlier this month at the age of 12, which is considered a long life for a gentoo penguin.
Aquarium staff took his partner Magic to see his body to help him process the loss and understand that Sphen would not be returning.
He immediately started singing, which was reciprocated by the colony.
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“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,” SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium’s general manager, Richard Dilly, said in a statement.
“Sphen and Magic’s love story captivated the world and it’s been an honour to welcome local and international fans, some of which travelled long distances to see them in real life.
“The team’s focus is now on Magic, who will soon prepare for his first breeding season without Sphen.”
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