Sphen the penguin – half of world-famous same-sex couple – dies at Sydney aquarium aged 11 [Video]

A penguin that was one half of a world-famous same-sex couple has died in an aquarium in Australia aged 11.

Sphen and his partner Magic achieved global fame in 2018 after staff at the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium noticed the two males building a nest together and gave them an egg to incubate.

Their relationship would inspire a float in Sydney’s world-famous Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade and feature in the Netflix series Atypical.

Sphen, a gentoo penguin, was nearly 12 when he passed away earlier this month, Sea Life Sydney Aquarium said on Thursday. Gentoo penguins have an average life span of 12 to 13 years.

Staff took Magic to see Sphen’s body so he could understand that he would not be coming home. When he reached Sphen, Magic immediately started singing, followed shortly afterwards by the other 45 penguins in the colony.

Gentoo penguins can make sounds ranging from honks to …