Gay penguin couple become parents
Further proof that becoming parents as a same-sex couple is apparently absolutely no problem in the animal world! The two penguins, Zorro and Diego, who live in Bournemouth at the Oceanarium, are now dad and dad.
Because: They succeeded in hatching a chick. Cuddle factor? Extremely high! The sweet baby is named Ponyo and was born in mid-May. It took a little while until the news was made public. After all, before that it was time to get to know each other and enjoy the time as a threesome. But now there is a statement from the Oceanarium. The feedback on this is quite positive. Many are happy that the popular destination has just been enriched by an attraction.
Oceanarium in Bournemouth makes statement
That Ponyo is not "just any offspring" should be clear at the latest after reading the news. Because: The responsible persons pointed out directly that a "same-sex male gay penguin couple" succeeded in hatching a "new chick".
In addition, it was pointed out that this fact would fit among other things also super to the Pride, which should take place on the following weekend in Bournemouth.
But Diego and Zorro were not completely thrown into the deep end.
Diego and Zorro took care of a "dummy egg" for a long time
A zoo official further explained that the gay penguin couple both Diego and Zorro had lovingly cared for a dummy egg some time ago. Even then, she said, it had become apparent that they had appropriate parenting skills. Accordingly, here was not planned "in the blue", but acted with deliberation.
Only after it was largely clear that Diego and Zorro provided all the necessary basic requirements to be really good parents, they were entrusted with the real egg to hatch. Of course, there might still have been a certain residual risk. But: Everything went well! And the Oceanarium can be happy about the sweet offspring.
And even though there are always warnings about humanizing animals: At least the basic chemistry between dad and dad seems to be right. A nurse emphasized in this context that a strong relationship had developed between the two parents for some time.
Zorro and Diego are not the only "queer couple" in the animal kingdom
Same-sex love has long played a major role in the animal kingdom. Time and again, there is talk of "homosexual penguins" and other animal species that apparently do not adhere to "hetero norms".
Therefore, Diego and Zorro join a number of other happy couples who probably still have a long, happy future ahead of them. The example of these two shows once again that the ability to take care of one's offspring has absolutely nothing to do with the constellation of the sexes.
And by the way: Even though penguins are often conspicuously mentioned in connection with gay animals, there are many other species that have discovered same-sex love for themselves. For example, there have been male vultures that have also hatched eggs together. Also monkeys, lions and sheep often love the same sex, but are not excluded from the herd for this. There are, after all, one or two details that many people can learn from the animal kingdom.
It is to be hoped that research work in this area in particular will be pursued further in order to ensure greater visibility with regard to this - quite natural - topic as well.