Penguins at ZSL London Zoo are set to have their own Pride party next week. The zoo is celebrating its own same-sex penguin couple, the world-famous residents, Humboldt penguins Ronnie and Reggie. The same-sex penguin couple even have their own Pride banner with the slogan ‘Some penguins are gay, get over it.’

Penguin couple Ronnie and Reggie got together in 2014 and went on to adopt an egg that was abandoned by another couple. The zoo has said that the couple raised the chick together and that they can often be found cuddling together.

There are some other same-sex penguin couples at the London Zoo including couple Nadja and Zimmer as well as Dev and Martin.

Homosexuality is quite common throughout the animal kingdom and has even been observed in insects. It’s not unusual for penguins, in particular, to be attracted to those of the same sex.

In fact, the number of gay penguins at the Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium in Kerry has quadrupled since Ireland legalized same-sex marriage.

The aquarium has confirmed that out of the 14 Gentoo penguins there, eight are cohabiting with another penguin of the same sex. There are both gay and lesbian penguin couples at the Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium.

“The lesbian ones will take action if they feel broody they will waddle over to a male do what needs to be done and rear the chick with their female partner,” said Louise Overy, Oceanworld’s animal manager. 

London Zoo’s Pride event will take place on Friday, July 5. Among the plans for the day are activities that will teach visitors about gender and mating in the animal kingdom, where visitors will learn just how common same-sex pairings are – from penguins and pandas to goats and giraffes.