Australia's Gay Penguins Welcome Their Chick

Penguins Magic and Sphen, two males who have formed a relationship and fostered an egg, welcomed their offspring when the egg hatched last week at the Sea Life Sydney aquarium in Australia.

The pair's journey to fatherhood started when they were spotted collecting pebbles to build a nest. They were given a dummy egg as a test run and were such natural nurturers that the aquarium decided to give them a real egg to hatch.

Aquarium officials say the two gentoo penguins showed great responsibility during the incubation period, protecting and generally doting on the egg.

The baby penguin has been dubbed Sphengic (a portmanteau of Sphen and Magic) for the time being and is in good health, according to a statement released by Sydney Sea Life. In the same statement, officials at the aquarium said Sphengic will become "an ambassador for its generation at Sea Life Sydney, and will help educate the public on the precious species and the plight that they face in the wild."

"Baby Sphengic has already stolen our hearts!" added penguin department supervisor Tish Hannan. "We love watching the proud parents doting and taking turns caring for their baby chick."