A Safari Park keeper shared with BBC that same-sex relationships among animals, like gay penguin couples and lorikeet throuples, are more common than expected.
A keeper at a safari park, where a gay penguin couple and a “throuple” of lorikeets reside, revealed that same-sex relationships in the animal kingdom are more common than you’d expect. Vicky McFarlane, who looks after the animals at West Midlands Safari Park, chatted with the BBC about the park’s gay residents after news broke about the passing of a world-famous gay penguin in Australia. She shared that these unique relationships aren’t as rare as people might think, shedding light on the fascinating love stories unfolding in the wild. (Also read: North Korea to reopen borders for western tourists after nearly five years of pandemic shutdown )
West Midlands Safari Park shows love knows no bounds with gay penguin couple and lorikeet ‘throuple'(REUTERS)
Same-Sex Animal Relationships
McFarlane shared that at the West Midlands Safari Park in Bewdley, there’s a pair of male Humboldt penguins named Arnie and Frodo who’ve been a couple since 2020. The park also has a “throuple” of rainbow lorikeets—two males and a female.
McFarlane further explained that the female lorikeet lays the eggs, and the two males take care of them. “They seem to figure things out in their own little way. They know what works for them,” she said. When asked about same-sex animals, she noted, “It’s more common than you might think. I believe they do form emotional bonds, especially penguins and lorikeets. They’re monogamous and mate for life.”
“So there’s a bit of a courtship—they’ll flirt, see who catches their eye, and once they settle down, they’re inseparable. I’d definitely say they’re in love,” McFarlane shared. She added that the animals are left to find their mates on their own. “They find their love all by themselves. We just sit back, keep an eye on them, and make sure everyone’s getting along.”
On the flip side, while penguins and lorikeets at the safari park are monogamous, sea lions are a different story. “One male can have 35 girlfriends a year. They keep themselves pretty busy—sounds exhausting,” McFarlane remarked to the BBC.
Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crick-it, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Quizzes, Polls & much more. Explore now!.
Catch your daily dose of Fashion, Taylor Swift, Health, Festivals, Travel, Relationship, Recipe and all the other Latest Lifestyle News on Hindustan Times Website and APPs.
News / Lifestyle / Relationships / Gay penguins and lorikeet ‘throuples’: Safari park keeper reveals surprising animal love stories
A person’s idea of a healthy romantic relationship depends on their attachment style. Each person has their own unique attachment style and that determines the way they connect with another pers
Childhood is an impressionable period of life, where the experiences lay the foundation for future relationships. Emotional wounds carried forward from childhood can emerge and manifest in various way
Thinking about jumping into a relationship but feeling unsure? It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement, but being ready for love is about more than just having someone to spend time with. R
Leave a Comment