Partner's grief as one of gay penguin power couple dies

Sphen, a gentoo penguin who became famous as part of a samesex "power couple" with his partner Magic, has died at the age of 11 in Australia.

- MAROOSHA MUZAFFAR

The couple, who were together for six years after they "fell in love" at Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, successfully fostered two chicks – Sphengic (also known as Lara) in 2018 and Clancy in 2020.

The pair – dubbed the “penguin power couple” – gained global attention in 2018 after their relationship became a symbol of equality and inspired cultural references, including a Mardi Gras float and a mention in the Netflix series Atypical.

“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 aquarium’s general manager Richard Dilly said.

Sphen was nearly 12, old for gentoo penguins, when he passed away earlier this month, according to aquarium staff. Gentoo penguins are the world’s fastest underwater birds. “Sphen and Magic’s love story captivated the world and it’s been an honour to welcome local and international fans, some of whom travelled long distances to see them in real life,” Mr Dilly said.

Numerous books recount their love story, and documentaries about same-sex animal couples have also featured Sphen and Magic, the aquarium staff said. In 2021, when the couple celebrated their third anniversary together, the aquarium’s penguin keeper, Kiera Ponting, said she was “thrilled” to see the happy couple still together. She described them as one of the most devoted couples in the colony.