Sphen, a gentoo penguin famous for his relationship with another male penguin, has tragically passed away at age 11 from natural causes.
Sphen partnered with 9-year-old penguin Magic at Sydney’s Sea Life Aquarium in Australia. The pair got together in 2018 and have become inseparable ever since. Their keepers gave them two eggs to incubate, chicks which they then raised together. They were also seen spending time together outside of the breeding season, typically unusual for gentoos.
The New York Times called the couple “queer icons” as their relationship made headlines all over the world. Sydney even created large inflatable replicas of the penguins for their 2021 Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade. The actual penguins were unable to attend due to high temperatures.
They were also featured on the Netflix show Atypical and have been included in school curricula as a way to encourage acceptance and inclusion.
Approaching his 12th birthday, Sphen’s health took a decline. The aquarium opted to euthanize Sphen to avoid further suffering and discomfort. Staff keepers took Sphen’s partner Magic and the rest of the colony to see Sphen’s body so that Magic knew Sphen would not be coming back.
Renee Howell, a penguin keeper at Sea Life, told The Guardian that Magic and other penguins began to sing after seeing Sphen. Howell said Magic was very protective over Sphen, and while tragic, the moment was necessary to help Magic grieve and comprehend what had happened.
Sphen and Magic’s relationship was pure, hopeful, and important. In a world where many are discriminated against and cast away for their sexuality, the pair’s relationship helped show how natural queerness is. The pair represented many and served as an example of how, at the end of the day, love is love, even at the aquarium.
On its website, Sea Life has set up a submission box for people to send tribute messages. You can send the late penguin messages here.
Image Courtesy of Sea Life
