Same-sex penguin couple become proud parents after adopting an egg

Electra and Viola have welcomed their first chick.

A pair of female Gentoo penguins from Spain have become parents for the first time after adopting an egg from another penguin couple. The Oceanogràfic València aquarium revealed this month that Electra and Viola began to display classic signs that they were ready to become parents by building a nest out of stones. Having observed this, the caregivers at the aquarium decided to translocate a fertile egg from another penguin couple. Electra and Viola successfully carried out the entire breeding process and they're now the proud parents of their first chick. Look at the little thing!! This adoption is a first for this aquarium in Spain, but not a first for penguins in general! Back in 2018, two male penguins at Sea Life Aquarium in Sydney made international headlines when they began displaying similar signs that they were ready for parenthood. Sphen and Magic, who became close during breeding season, were given a dummy egg at first but eventually they were given a real egg to nurture. The pair shared incubating duties between them until the egg hatched. In 2019 it was revealed that the 'power couple' of Sphen and Magic were hoping to add to their family. The Oceanogràfic València have called Electra and Viola an 'exceptional pair' and we can't wait to see the little chick grow!