From the Department of Draw-Your-Own-Conclusions, Stereotypes Division:
Gay penguins surprise caretakers
The latest gay couple in New York to be photographed in matching tuxedoes isn’t a pair of businessmen or male models but a pair of penguins at the New York Aquarium at Coney Island.
Wendell and Cass, both 14-year-old penguins–in their forties in human terms–have been together for about eight years, but since penguins have no external genitalia, it was only recently that keepers discovered they are both male.
“They’re one of the most dedicated couples in the penguin enclosure,” Angie Pelekedis, a spokesman for the New York Aquarium, told The [London] Daily Telegraph. “They sleep in the same nest. They even have sex, though I don’t know how successful that is.”
Penguin keeper Stephanie Mitchell added, “I was only seeing one mate with the other, but then one of the other keepers saw it happen the other way round. We did a blood test that proved they were both male. Cass tends to be a rather aggressive bird. Wendell is very nervous; always has been. He’s on edge all the time. They’re currently in a dispute with another couple over their nest. It seems to be one of the most desirable places in the penguin enclosure.”
– The Advocate, 2/25/02
“They’re currently in a dispute with another couple over their nest. It seems to be one of the most desirable places in the penguin enclosure.”
After all the effort they’ve put in improving the neighborhood, I hope they don’t get priced out. 🙂
Interesting
This story reminds me of this book that I’ve been eyeing at my local used book store. Just goes to show that homosexuality is not “unnatural” because, oh look, there it is in nature. 🙂
Sometimes a great notion…
“Gay penguins surprise caretakers”
Y’know, there are times when I really wish I could draw. There’s a hysterical picture in that title somewhere.