Gay penguin pair adopt abandoned chick
German zoo gave Z and Vielpunkt, a pair of gay Humboldt penguins, an abandoned egg to care for.
By Stephanie RogersFri, Jun 05 2009 at 1:25 PM EST
16
Photo credit: bild.de The egg was vulnerable and helpless, abandoned by its parents and in need of warmth to survive. So officials at a German zoo gave it to a pair of gay male Humboldt penguins, named Z and Vielpunkt, who took it in and nestled it until it hatched in May. Now, the pair is happily raising the four-week-old chick.
"Z and Vielpunkt, both males, gladly accepted their 'Easter gift' and got straight down to raising it," said a zoo statement.
"Since the chick arrived, they have been behaving just as you would expect a heterosexual couple to do. The two happy fathers spend their days attentively protecting, caring for and feeding their adopted offspring."
Z and Vielpunkt aren’t the first of their kind, or even the only gay penguins at the zoo in Bremerhaven, northern Germany. In 2005, three pairs of male penguins had been seen at the zoo trying to mate and sitting on stones in lieu of eggs. It was also reported last fall that a pair of male penguins at a zoo in China was stealing eggs from heterosexual penguin couples.
Other famous gay penguin couples include Roy and Silo, the Central Park Zoo pair that inspired the book And Tango Makes Three.
Homosexuality has been documented in a range of animal species, but has not been studied in-depth.
"Homosexuality is nothing unusual among animals," Bremerhaven zoo said on Wednesday.
"Sex and coupling up in our world do not necessarily have anything to do with reproduction."
 WorldShares
lets you earn donations for your favorite nonprofit. Earn up to 20
points now.Learn More Earn Points
|
Twitter
Stumble
Digg
Share
CLOSE
link:
link:
Comments
rosanna.penrith
05/13/2011 03:19 AM
Wow... It's a bit weird but it's cute. And they raised the chick despite being the same gender.
Water for Elephants 2011 torrent
ardo
10/18/2010 20:14 PM
God loves each and every one of us, we are all his creations. However, we are not forgiven of our sins unless we accept the fact that Jesus died for our sins. One payment, once and for all. It is true that we are all sinners, homosexuality is one form of sin, so is not honoring your father or mother, etc. Homosexuality is specific to humans, the animal kingdom functions only by instinct, ie. reproduction, nesting, dominance (seen as one male on top of another and performing "humping" motions)..... More
Luke
Today 22:09 PM
This article proves what I've always believed. Gays are only here to steal our babies.
mihai
04/18/2010 11:09 AM
In animal world not only in people world it is happen very strange thing. We look at it and don t belive but we find this only now but i am sure that strange things are happend of hundred and hundred of years.
Hetrosexual Male
06/12/2009 05:56 AM
Those of us who have no problem with accepting that homosexuality is normal for those who find themselves attracted to their own gender, don't need additional "proof from the animal kingdom at large. Those who will never accept human homosexuality as it is, will not be swayed by such proof.
sid
06/09/2009 05:11 AM
They exhibit as 'gay,' build nests, try to mate and seem to be partners, same sex penguin partners have been noted at other Zoo's. My beef is that people can't accept a positive outcome (and an area possibly for research) without acting like children and resorting to name calling. Hardly a day goes by when I can't read an article or look at a youtube video without some hater, probably some weedy redneck making a homophobic comment..........
Anonymous
06/08/2009 22:23 PM
Maybe it's just my scientific background but this sort of thing makes professionals roll their eyes is all. I've read reports of male Wood Duck companions but I just doubt the BBC is all. I have no problem with the issue, it's America and everyone gets their shot to be themselves but I seriously doubt how "gay" animals are and it just seems like poor science and propaganda. The article is very well-written though, I'm not trying to be a hater, honest. I'm just saying that it's hard.... More
sid
Today 04:11 AM
why won't this sort of thing get mnn to be taken seriously. Surely this increases the chances of Penguins reproducing in captivity which is good for 'mother nature'?
Secondly the assumption from another poster that all gays have butt sex is ignorant and also shows how little you know about penguins reproductive organs.
Jack
06/06/2009 13:49 PM
Homophobia should go back to the 1950's and die. Both of my parents are gay penguins and they did a fantastic job raising me and my adopted sister.
sid
06/06/2009 13:06 PM
why do people feel so threatened so much to write anti-gay comments (irony excepted) about a couple of sweet penguins. Is this site just for children or do adults post on here as well?
Just Kidding MacDonald
06/06/2009 05:36 AM
That's so nice of these little penguins to be so caring and loving despite the fact they are going to burn in hell for all of eternity with the rest of the gay animal kingdom. :o(
x
06/05/2009 17:50 PM
God hates these queer penguins.
kurisu7885
Today 09:16 AM
Pretty sure God doesn't want you making decisions for him, or her ot whichever
Anonymous
06/05/2009 20:57 PM
Then you need a different God.
Mark. S.
06/05/2009 14:42 PM
Wow ... this is so neat. Thanks for sharing.
