Same-sex and hatch – baby joy for penguins

GENTOO COUPLE BECOME MUMS AFTER BEING GIVEN EGG TO ADOPT

LAST weekend saw London celebrate Pride with the capital playing host to a weekend dedicated to celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.

And, as luck would have it, one of London’s most popular tourist attractions announced some priderelated news regarding two of its residents.

A same-sex penguin couple at Sea Life London have welcomed the pitter-patter of tiny webbed feet, following the recent hatching of their first adopted chick.

The female gentoo couple, Marama and Rocky, have been together for five years and adopted 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 little bundle of fluff’s name and gender has yet to be revealed.

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.”

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Marama is the older of the pair and naturally more protective of the chick, while Rocky – who is freespirited 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.

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

IMAGES: SEA LIFE LONDON/PA WIRE Watching on carefully