BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM
In a moving display of grief, the penguins at Sydney’s Sea Life Aquarium recently paid tribute to Sphen, a beloved member of their colony who died of natural causes. Sphen was more than just another gentoo penguin; he was one half of a famous same-sex couple who won the hearts of people all across the world. Sphen and his companion Magic became symbols of equality and love, breaking down barriers and inspiring many people.
A love story that captivated the world
Sphen and Magic’s relationship began in a way that was conventional for their species but extraordinary in its impact. The two male penguins began their courtship with a gentoo-specific ritual: collecting and giving stones to each other. “You see [penguins] searching along the beach, along the ice, looking for those perfect pebbles to give to their partners,” said Renee Howell, the aquarium’s penguin keeper. These stones were more than just marks of devotion; they served as the foundation for their nest, where they would eventually raise their adoptive brood.
The couple first made headlines in 2018 for successfully adopting and raising a chick named Sphengic (Lara). Two years later, they expanded their family by adopting a second chick, Clancy. According to Howell, same-sex partnerships among penguins are rather common, and Sphen and Magic, like any other penguin couple, shared parenting responsibilities. “They definitely divvied up the roles really quite evenly between the two,” she said, emphasizing the couple’s strong bond and cooperation.
An emotional farewell from the colony
When Sphen died, the aquarium workers felt they had to allow Magic to say farewell. In the wild, a penguin will often search for its absent spouse. To avoid this, the keepers summoned Magic to examine Sphen’s body.
As Magic neared his spouse, he began to sing, a heartfelt cry that was quickly echoed by the entire 45-penguin population. “It was a very beautiful moment, the air was just filled with their singing,” Howell told The Guardian. “It showed the impact [Sphen] had on his partner and that [Magic] actually recognized that his partner was there.” The chorus was more than a farewell; it was perceived as a declaration of the love and unity that Sphen and Magic symbolized.
Sphen’s lasting legacy
Though Sphen is no longer among them, his legacy continues. Magic, now in his first breeding season without Sphen, has already begun gathering pebbles, a hopeful sign that he may be able to start over. Nonetheless, Sphen and Magic’s love story has left an indelible mark on the hearts of people who loved them and the global community they inspired.
“The loss of Sphen is heartbreaking for the penguin colony, the team, and everyone who has been inspired or positively impacted by Sphen and Magic’s story,” said Richard Dilly, General Manager of Sea Life. As the penguin colony grows, Sphen’s legacy and the idea of equality he embodied will live on.
