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Gay penguins to raise family

Fri 23 Apr 2004 In: New Zealand Daily News

A male King penguin couple at Kelly Tarlton's aquarium in Auckland, unsuccessful in their first attempt to raise a family, may get a chance to try again. Bird curator Rochelle Deane says six years ago that Julio and Fatboy, now an exclusive couple for 10 years since moving from San Diego in 1994, were given another couple's egg to care for but it unfortunately turned out to be infertile. Deane says she wouldn't hesitate to give them another, though. King penguins are usually quite promiscuous, but Julio and Fatboy have remained faithful. "Fatboy and Julio have never shown any interest in females,” Deane says. "They have eyes only for each other." The two spend their days swimming and playing together. They trumpet and bow and regurgitate food for each other, just like the straight couples.    

Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff

First published: Friday, 23rd April 2004 - 12:00pm

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