In the most exciting baby news since Meghan Markle introduced Prince Archie to the world, London's favourite lesbian penguins, Rocky and Marama, have adopted a chick - who is being raised 'genderless'.
Penguins Rocky and Marama, who have been together for five years, live at London's Sea Life aquarium, where they first alerted staff to their cluckiness by building the biggest nest in the colony.
When another penguin mum couldn't handle the pressure of raising two chicks, zoo staff recognised an opportunity to spread the love - giving Marama and Rocky one egg to hatch and raise as their own. , the chick, who is yet to be named, will be raised 'genderless' - making it "the world's first penguin to not have its gender assigned".
In a press release, the aquarium explained that staff had "decided it was more natural for the chick to grow and develop into a mature adult as genderless, which is normal in the wild until they mature."
Graham McGrath, general manager at Sea Life London Aquarium, said: “While the decision may ruffle a few feathers, gender neutrality in humans has only recently become a widespread topic of conversation, however, it is completely natural for penguins to develop genderless identities as they grow into mature adults.
The Sea Life aquarium in London is home to Rocky and Marama, who have been together for five years. Source: Sea Life London
He added: “What makes us really proud at the aquarium is the success of Sea Life London’s gentoo breeding programme and the amazing job of same-sex penguins Rocky and Marama, who took the chick under their wing and raised it as their own.”
, McGrath said that Marama and Rocky have taken to becoming parents "like ducks to water".
“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.”
