Gay flamingos at the zoo become parents
Gay or same-sex animals are not uncommon. Scientists have now discovered that queerness apparently also exists in the animal kingdom. Further proof: the two male flamingos Hudson and Blaze. They have decided to adopt a chick.
The two live in the popular Whipsnade Zoo in England and are now already small celebrities here. The little one is currently showered with lots of daddy love.
However, this is not the first "parent project" of the two. Blaze and Hudson have already accompanied many little chicks into life.
How did the chick get to the daddies?
The chick was left in its nest by its mother - at that time still in the egg. Said egg was kept warm. The keepers were concerned not only to save the chick's life, but also to find foster parents at the same time. Of course, this should be done preferably BEFORE hatching.
They found what they were looking for. Hudson and Blaze showed convincing daddy qualities from the beginning and took care of the egg ... And now also the chick. Of course, the two fathers were not chosen at random. The keepers had observed for some time that both were taking care of their nest. It was exactly this "detail" that finally tipped the scales.
The sensitivity of the zoo staff was not deceiving. They immediately began to hatch the egg and have now made it their business to accompany the chick during its first steps (and certainly a little longer).
The two gay flamingos behave like a classic couple
In this context, it is particularly interesting that the two homosexual flamingos behave like classically heterosexual animals when viewed closely. Quite typical for the species, they live monogamously and perform many everyday tasks as a team.
And that's certainly why the zoo's keepers had such a good feeling about Hudson and Blaze. The two have already raised several flamingo chicks and the respective "family projects" always went well.
In this context, it is of course also practical that both male and female flamingos produce milk for "breastfeeding". Here, too, the two new daddies simply take turns. This ensures that the little flamingo gets everything it needs to grow big and strong.
The animal world has already produced many gay couples
For several years, research has been conducted, among other things, around the "phenomenon" of homosexual couples in the animal kingdom. Here it is shown again and again that males and males (and females and females) not only live together harmoniously, but can also be loving parents.
Particularly well-known examples come from the world of penguins, among others.
As was also evident in the case of the two flamingos Hudson and Blaze, however, positive adoption successes cannot of course be assumed here either per se. The responsible keepers carefully consider which animals they can entrust with a "foreign young".
Once again, however, it becomes clear that homosexuality and a harmonious, loving coexistence of two individuals of the same sex are absolutely natural. However, homosexual and heterosexual animals have one thing in common: If an animal species is known to live together monogamously with its partner, it makes no difference which gender constellation prevails. Many animals stay together until the end of their lives.