Gay male penguins steal lesbian penguins’ eggs at Dutch zoo in latest bid to become fathers

A gay male penguin couple have stolen lesbian penguins’ eggs at a Dutch zoo in their latest bid to become fathers.

The African penguin couple stole the other birds’ entire nest at Dierenpark zoo in Amersfoort.

They took another bird’s egg in November last year but it did not produce a chick and the couple remained childless.

Zoo keeper Sander Drost says the new eggs are also unlikely to hatch, given the couple they stole them from are two female penguins and will not be fertilised.

Two gay male penguins (pictured) have stolen lesbian penguins’ eggs at Dierenpark zoo in Amersfoort, Netherlands, in their latest bid to become fathers

The penguins are currently taking it in turns to sit on the eggs, while the other forages for food.

They are the dominant couple in Dierenpark’s enclosure of 17 penguins.

Mr Drost told RTV Utrecht: ‘Each couple in the enclosure have their own shelter but this couple has commandeered two.’

The female couple will likely build a new nest soon, with penguins breeding twice a year.

They tried to hatch another bird’s egg in November last year but it did not produce a chick and the couple (pictured) remained childless

Last year, the egg the penguin couple stole was quickly replaced by another one by the couple who had produced it.

Zookerper Marc Belt said: ‘Homosexuality is fairly common in penguins, but what makes this couple remarkable is that they have gotten hold of an egg.’

The couple are not the first gay penguins to have tried to foster an egg, with a couple in Valencia successfully hatching one in August this year.

The two female penguins, Electra and Viola, at Oceanografic Aquarium in Valencia, Spain, hatched another couple’s egg.

Two female penguins, Electra and Viola (pictured), at Oceanografic Aquarium in Valencia, Spain , hatched another couple’s egg

Although the two penguins are infertile together, aquarium staff placed the egg from another penguin in their nest after they appeared to be broody.

Meanwhile, a same-sex ‘power couple’ in Sydney successfully hatched their first egg in 2018.

Sphen and Magic hatched their first chick at Sydney’s Sea Life Aquarium in October 2018, and have been great parents to Sphengic since.

Same-sex couples are common in more than 450 species in nature, although this is the aquarium’s first same-sex couple.

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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