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Should gay animals have rights?
Toronto Zoo decision to separate ‘gay’ penguins sparks international outcry
oliver moore
Globe and Mail Update
Published Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011 8:42AM EST
Last updated Friday, Nov. 11, 2011 12:42AM EST
The Toronto Zoo has found out the hard way just how vocal gay-rights supporters can be.
In a bizarre case showing how political the issue remains – even after same-sex marriage has been legalized in Canada and in nine other countries – controversy is reverberating over the zoo’s decision to break up a close relationship between two male penguins.
The African penguins, Buddy and Pedro, exhibit classic mating behaviours. They had formed a bond as part of a “bachelor flock” at a previous zoo and remained close when transferred to the zoo in Toronto. Because of this, the pair were popularly referred to as the ‘gay penguins,’ despite keepers saying that the bond is not necessarily sexual.
The decision to separate them – stemming from the zoo’s desire to take advantage of Buddy and Pedro’s good genes by breeding them – has sparked an outcry from commentators around the world. Reaction has included much ribald humour, including comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s reference to “Brokeback Iceberg," but many are fiercely critical of the zoo’s decision. ...
oliver moore
Globe and Mail Update
Published Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011 8:42AM EST
Last updated Friday, Nov. 11, 2011 12:42AM EST
The Toronto Zoo has found out the hard way just how vocal gay-rights supporters can be.
In a bizarre case showing how political the issue remains – even after same-sex marriage has been legalized in Canada and in nine other countries – controversy is reverberating over the zoo’s decision to break up a close relationship between two male penguins.
The African penguins, Buddy and Pedro, exhibit classic mating behaviours. They had formed a bond as part of a “bachelor flock” at a previous zoo and remained close when transferred to the zoo in Toronto. Because of this, the pair were popularly referred to as the ‘gay penguins,’ despite keepers saying that the bond is not necessarily sexual.
The decision to separate them – stemming from the zoo’s desire to take advantage of Buddy and Pedro’s good genes by breeding them – has sparked an outcry from commentators around the world. Reaction has included much ribald humour, including comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s reference to “Brokeback Iceberg," but many are fiercely critical of the zoo’s decision. ...
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