Lesbian penguin couple at Sea Life London finally get their own chick after the two females 'prove' to staff they will be good parents

  • The female gentoo couple, Marama and Rocky, have been together for five years 
  • After proving they would be good parents they have now been given a chick  
  • The baby came from another penguin who was struggling with two chicks
  • A gender and the animal's name have not yet been announced for the tiny animal

A same-sex penguin couple at Sea Life London have become proud parents after their first egg successfully hatched.  

The female gentoo couple, Marama and Rocky, have been together for five years and received the egg after demonstrating to the aquarium's team that they would make good parents.

The egg was moved from its birth mother to relieve her of the pressure of raising two chicks.

The tiny bundle of fluff's name and gender has yet to be revealed and is the latest example in successful adoption of animals by same-sex animal couples. 

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The adorable fluffy penguin adopted by the same-sex couple has yet to be given a name but is seen here in the arms of one of the keepers at London Sea Life

The adorable fluffy penguin adopted by the same-sex couple has yet to be given a name but is seen here in the arms of one of the keepers at London Sea Life  

Adoptive parents Marama and Rocky (pictured) with the fostered chick which is seen just underneath the bird with the green band, Rocky on the nest underneath. You can see its fluffy behind poking out

Adoptive parents Marama and Rocky (pictured) with the fostered chick which is seen just underneath the bird with the green band, Rocky on the nest underneath. You can see its fluffy behind poking out 

HALF PENGUINS IN IRISH AQUARIUM ARE GAY

Eight of the 14 penguins at Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium are in same-sex pairs.

Keepers say the number of gay or lesbian couples has rocketed in recent years.

Pairs of same-sex penguins have been known to raise adopted chicks together.

Pairs of female penguins have even been known to raise a chick together after producing one with a temporary male partner, the Irish Mirror reported.

Manager Louise Overy told the newspaper: 'We have two homosexual pairs and two lesbian ones.

'You cannot tell a male penguin from a female by their sexual organs so the only way we know is when we see them mating and not producing chicks.'

The four gay couples now at the aquarium mark an increase from just one - called Penelope and Misty - five years ago, she said.

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General manager Graham McGrath said: 'Marama and Rocky have taken to becoming parents like ducks to water - or should I say penguins.

'Caring for a newborn is tough for anyone, from the sleepless nights to the constant feeding, yet this wonderful pair of penguin parents are completely unflappable and seem to be taking it all in their stride.'

Marama and Rocky are first time parents but they have shown great parenting qualities over the past two years building the best nests in the colony. 

They also have a very strong bond - bowing to each other regularly - allowing them to take it in turns to look after the nest. 

Marama is the older of the pair and naturally more protective of the chick, while Rocky - who is free-spirited and inquisitive - is keen to teach the new arrival everything it needs to know about life as a penguin. 

The new parents have built the biggest nest in the colony and each perform shifts, giving the other a chance to swim and feed. 

Proud parents Rocky, (front, green band) with two other birds from the colony at London Sea Life. Max (left, red band) is a bird from the colony while Fry (right;rainbow band) is the biological father of the little birds in the keeper's arms. One of these is to be adopted by the sames-ex couple

Proud parents Rocky, (front, green band) with two other birds from the colony at London Sea Life. Max (left, red band) is a bird from the colony while Fry (right;rainbow band) is the biological father of the little birds in the keeper's arms. One of these is to be adopted by the sames-ex couple  

Two baby Gentoo penguin chicks (pictured in the arms of a keeper) were born at the London Sea Life as part of their conservation programme and one chick has been adopted by same sex female penguins after the egg was removed from its birth mother

Two baby Gentoo penguin chicks (pictured in the arms of a keeper) were born at the London Sea Life as part of their conservation programme and one chick has been adopted by same sex female penguins after the egg was removed from its birth mother

The small bird is currently of unknown name and gender (pictured) but is believed to be in good hands with the adopted parents.  They proved to keepers that they would be capable by building the best nests in the colony

The small bird is currently of unknown name and gender (pictured) but is believed to be in good hands with the adopted parents.  They proved to keepers that they would be capable by building the best nests in the colony

Last week, penguins at ZSL London Zoo were photographed with an LGBTQ+ Pride banner to celebrate the annual parade.

The sign declaring 'some penguins are gay, get over it' was erected in the Penguin Beach enclosure this week to mark Pride.

The enclosure - which recreates a South American beach landscape - is home to several same-sex couples, including Humboldt penguins Ronnie and Reggie.

The birds struck up a relationship in 2014 and have since raised a chick together. Zookeepers said they remain as 'strong as ever' today.

The sign - which is about as tall as a penguin and stands facing visitors - supports the Get Over It campaign spearheaded by the LGBTQ charity, Stonewall. 

Penguins are said to mate for life, and same-sex pairings have been observed both in the wild and in captivity.

The gentoo chick is the second to be born at Sea Life London this year, as part of its conservation programme.

Marama and Rocky have a very strong bond - bowing to each other regularly - allowing them to take it in turns to look after the nest. Here, Rocky nursing the chick alongside a rainbow pebble

Marama and Rocky have a very strong bond - bowing to each other regularly - allowing them to take it in turns to look after the nest. Here, Rocky nursing the chick alongside a rainbow pebble 

The fluffy light grey ball at the front of the bird here is the baby chick being looked after by new mother, Rocky

The fluffy light grey ball at the front of the bird here is the baby chick being looked after by new mother, Rocky  

Last week, penguins at ZSL London Zoo were photographed with an LGBTQ+ Pride banner to celebrate the annual parade.  The enclosure - which recreates a South American beach landscape - is home to several same-sex couples, including Humboldt penguins Ronnie and Reggie

Last week, penguins at ZSL London Zoo were photographed with an LGBTQ+ Pride banner to celebrate the annual parade.  The enclosure - which recreates a South American beach landscape - is home to several same-sex couples, including Humboldt penguins Ronnie and Reggie

HOMOSEXUALITY IN ANIMALS

Homosexuality in nature appears counter-intuitive but is observed in a range of species around the world. 

There has yet to be an accepted explanation based on neurological, chemical or behavioural factors to explain why some animals are homosexual and some or heterosexual. 

Some scientists say it may be due to exposure to testosterone levels in the womb, although this remains a hotly debated topic which has yet to be proved. 

In a book titled: 'Homosexual Behaviour in Animals: An Evolutionary Perspective', the author, UCL professor Dr Volker Sommer, writes: 'Within a select number of species, homosexual activity is widespread and occurs at levels that approach or sometimes even surpass heterosexual activity.'

Homosexual behaviour has been observed in many animals, including: macaques, dwarf chimpanzees, dolphins, orcas and humans. 

Some studies claim homosexuality may be a common as being found in up to 95 per cent of all animal species. 

There are two principle schools of thought when it comes to the prevalence of homosexuality in nature.  

One theory states that homosexuality in animals doesn't need an explanation, with animals being homosexual just as naturally as they are heterosexual. 

It appears irrational for it to survive as a trait as it hinders the ability to procreate directly, but many speculate it allows individuals to ensure their genetic material is passed down the generations indirectly as they are able to look after members of their family with offspring.   

For example, helping nurture the offspring of a sister.   

Similar behaviour dedicated to the 'greater good' of a large group have been seen in various species. 

For example, in familial wolf packs only one pair of animals breeds - the alpha and the beta. The other animals ensure the protection, feeding and nurturing of the litter.

This allows their genetic material to pass indirectly to the next generation through their sister, brother, mother etc or whatever the relationship may be. 

The same school of though applies to animals which have exceeded their reproductive age. 

For example, female elephants which are now too old to have offspring. 

They still play a crucial role in the protection of the young a the matriarch leads the group to spots of food, water and chases of would-be predators.

These actions ensure the survival of the young and vulnerable members of her family, again helping ensure her genetic material is passed down through the generations indirectly.  

A similar concept can be applied to homosexuality, some experts claim. 

Without the ability to reproduce directly, they are able to expend energy looking after the offspring of their family members. 

Another theory states that homosexual behaviours aid in the successful passing on of genes in the long-term as young animals 'practice' mating techniques and ways of attracting a member of the opposite sex.

Rates of homosexuality in different species continues to be unknown, as ongoing research finds more nuances to homosexuality in nature. 

It continues to be found in more species but the level of homosexuality in individual species is not well enough studied to be able to determine if homosexuality is becoming increasingly common.  

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