Same-sex penguin couple celebrates three-year anniversary
Sphen and Magic have reached a milestone in their relationship
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A pair of same-sex penguins in Australia are celebrating their third anniversary this year after remaining “inseparable” for the course of their relationship, according to the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium.
News of Sphen and Magic’s love affair came to light in 2018 when they adopted and incubated an egg at the Darling Harbour facility.
They hatched a chick together that was named Lara by the Sydney Aquarium keepers.
Following their success raising Lara, the penguins were given another chick to take care of, which hatched in November 2020.
Now that they’ve reached three years together, Magic and Sphen will be marking the milestone at the Sydney Aquarium by enjoying a frozen fish cake to share with their fellow penguins in the colony.
The aquarium’s penguin keeper, Kiera Ponting, said she was “thrilled” to see the happy couple still together and described them as one of the most devoted couples in the colony.
“Magic still regularly collects the most perfect pebble that he can find for Sphen, displaying what a great hunter and partner he can be,” Ms Ponting told News.com.au.
“They set a great example to the rest of the colony. They’re inseparable and proving just how strong penguin bonds can be.
“We’ve noticed many of the newer penguin couples setting up their nests close to Sphen and Magic, which we think is them trying to learn from the best.”
The keepers first started to noticed Sphen and Magic’s fondness for each other when they began bringing each other carefully selected pebbles for a nest.
Had either not been interested, they would have rejected the pebbles by pushing them away with their beak. Instead, each admired the pebbles they were given.
“You would see Magic standing in his spot looking for Sphen, and he would call and Sphen would come running over and give Magic a little bow and sing as well,” Tish Hannan, head of penguin supervision at the aquarium, said at the time. “They’ve chosen each other. That’s it. They’re bonded now.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments