National Geographic Research Zoologists Discover Gay and Bisexual Penguins

Gay Penguins

Singapore (OPENPRESS) December 7, 2006 -- It is reported in the National Geographic Research Zoologists are discovering that homosexual and bisexual activity is not unknown within the animal kingdom. Some same-sex birds do do it. So do beetles, sheep, fruit bats, dolphins, and orangutans. Zoologists are discovering that homosexual and bisexual activity is not unknown within the animal kingdom. One animal of which is highly popularise by the Happy Feet, are the gay penguin couple; Roy and Silo.

Roy and Silo, two male chinstrap penguins at New York's Central Park Zoo have been inseparable for six years now. They display classic pair-bonding behavior—entwining of necks, mutual preening, flipper flapping, and the rest. They also have sex, while ignoring potential female mates*. Get to know the full story on Roy and Silo at http://queerscene.blogspot.com

Wild birds exhibit similar behavior. There are male ostriches that only court their own gender, and pairs of male flamingos that mate, build nests, and even raise foster chicks.

Female Japanese macaques engaged in intimate acts which, if observed in humans, would be in the X-rated category.

"The homosexual behavior that goes on is completely baffling and intriguing," says National Geographic Ultimate Explorer correspondent, Mireya Mayor. "You would have thought females that want to be mated, especially over their fertile period, would be seeking out males."

Well, perhaps, in a roundabout way, they are seeking males, suggests primatologist Amy Parish. She argues that female macaques may enhance their social position through homosexual intimacy which in turn influences breeding success. Parish says, "Taking something that's nonreproductive, like mounting another female— if it leads to control of a resource or acquisition of a resource or a good alliance partner, that could directly impact your reproductive success."