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
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
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
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
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
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
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