Sphen, the world-famous gay Australian penguin, was euthanized on August 22 at the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium. He was 11. Sphen and his partner Magic teamed up in 2018 and built a nest together, at which point the zoo keepers gave them an egg—the couple successfully hatched and raised first Lara, and then another baby, Clancy. Sphen and Magic became the subjects of books, videos, parade floats, and school lessons, and were featured in the TV show Atypical (two gay Manhattan penguins, Roy and Silo, were featured on Will & Grace). When Sphen died, Magic was brought to his side, “so that he could understand his partner wouldn’t return,” aquarium general manager Richard Dilly said. “He immediately started singing, which was beautifully reciprocated by the colony.”
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