It has been revealed that more than half of the penguins at the Irish aquarium in Kerry have picked a gay partner.

The Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium in Kerry has confirmed to the Irish Daily Mirror that out of their 14 Gentoo penguins they have eight that are in same-sex relationships.

Ocean World’s animal manager Louise Overy said to the publication: “We have two homosexual pairs and two lesbian ones.

You cannot tell a male penguin from a female by their sexual organs so the only way we know is when we see them mating and not producing chicks.

The lesbian ones will take action if they feel broody. They will waddle over to a male to do what needs to be done and rear the chick with their female partner.

“They have maternal instincts the same as humans do.”


It is not unusual to have penguins be attracted to the same sex but it is very rare to have so many couples in the one place.

Louise added: “In New York City zoo a gay penguin couple reared a chick and that made international headlines because they were seen as the only gay penguin couple in the world – and yet we have four couples here in our place.

“They woo each other with stones which the other partner uses to build a nest. It’s far cheaper than diamond rings and flowers!

“We have had a gay couple here before. Five years ago Penelope and Misty got plenty of coverage but we never expected it to catch on.”