Half of one of the world’s most famous penguin couples has passed away: Sphen, the Australian penguin who went viral for raising two chicks with his same-sex partner Magic, has died 💔
He will be remembered and mourned by zoo staff, his loving partner and fans around the world — read more about this beloved penguin:
Sphen and Magic: a love story
Sphen, a Gentoo penguin, first made headlines back in 2018, when he formed an unlikely same-sex partnership with another male partner named Magic.
The two were residents at the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, and staff members noticed that they were “inseparable,” constantly walking around and swimming together — and as breeding season approached, they noticed the pair collecting pebbles together to build a nest.
Their caretakers gave the couple a dummy egg to practice incubating, and they proved to be naturals. The following season, the zoo gave Sphen and Magic a real egg from another couple who had two.
The couple successfully hatched their newborn, a female named Lara. In 2020, Sphen and Magic had another baby together, a male named Clancy.
Same-sex partnerships are not uncommon among penguin species: researchers have observed homosexual behavior among penguins dating back to 1911, and there have been a number of instances where two penguins of the same sex pair up to incubate an egg together with successful results.
In fact, zookeepers said that Sphen and Magic had an even closer bond than most of their heterosexual counterparts: in a press release they said the couple “shared a bond unlike most other penguin couples.” They remained inseparable for years, even outside of mating season.
Their love story made headlines around the world, a powerful symbol that love is love and that same-sex couples can be great at raising children. They inspired a Mardi Gras float, appeared on the Netflix series Atypical and many documentaries.
Their fame also brought attention to the plight of wild penguins, who are threatened by pollution and climate change. Sphen and Magic helped raise awareness of these important issues and fundraising causes.
Rest in peace, Sphen
On August 22, Sea Life Sydney Aquarium announced that Sphen had passed away earlier this month. He was 12 years old, roughly the life expectancy of a gentoo penguin.
“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,” the zoo’s general manager Richard Dilly said in a press release.
“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.”
Magic — the younger of the two penguins, who will turn 9 in November — is mourning his longtime partner. The zoo team took him to see Sphen to help him process the loss and understand that he won’t return.
According to the press release, Magic then started singing, which was “beautiful reciprocated by the colony.”
Sphen and Magic leave behind an unforgettable legacy, which also includes their two offspring. Their first hatchling Lara is now old enough to participate in breeding seasons herself.
Rest in peace, Sphen 💔😢 We know you will be missed by fans around the world and your loving partner Magic.
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