ONE half of a world-famous same-sex penguin couple has tragically died at the age of 11.
Sphen, a gentoo penguin has died in Australia, leaving his partner of six years, Magic, behind.
Sphen’s partner Magic, eight, was taken to his body to help the penguin understand that Sphen wouldn’t return.
The heartbroken penguin started singing goodbye which was reciprocated by the broader penguin colony.
The gay penguin couple shot to fame in 2018 when they fell in love at the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium.
Aquarium staff first noticed an attraction between the two male gentoo penguins when they started bowing to each other – a form of penguin flirting.
They later adopted and raised two chicks as their own.
The pair were also featured on the Netflix series Atypical and had even inspired a Mardi Gras float.
His death comes after his health deteriorated, with the aquarium’s veterinary team making the difficult decision to euthanise him.
The Sea Life Sydney Aquarium said Sphen had an “immeasurable” impact around the world as a symbol of equality and a conduit for the conservation cause.
An investigation into the cause of his decline is underway.
Aquarium general manager Richard Dilly said: “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.
“We want to take this opportunity to reflect and celebrate Sphen’s life, remembering what an icon he was.
“The team’s focus is now on Magic, who will soon prepare for his first breeding season without Sphen.”
Penguin keeper Renee Howell told The Guardian she had witnessed the couple’s love story bloom from the beginning.
She said: “It’s one in a million.
“You never really will get to see this again.”
Howell said that same-sex partnerships are thought to be somewhat common among penguins.
She added the way they shared their duties as parents was what set them apart.
She said: “They took their individual [turns] on the nest, and they would go out and search for food, and then they’d come back and swap the care of the egg.
“They divvied up the roles quite evenly between the two.”
Sphen is also survived by Sphengic – known as Lara – and Clancy, the couple’s two fostered chicks.
A sub-Antarctic species, gentoo penguins on average live between 12 and 13 years and are famously romantic monogamists.
Members of the public have paid tribute to Sphen in a condolence message board on the aquarium’s website.
One person said: “Sphen and Magic were equality icons. My heart breaks for the keepers and the whole Sea Life Sydney team.”
Meanwhile, another added: “You taught the world so much. We will never forget you.”
