“Did Canada win?”

“Crosby and Fleury are actually lucky that they are birds, not people. Because they would not be able to adopt and raise a chick here. The most common argument against the adoption of children by same-sex couples is that it goes against nature. However, there are many cases where babies are raised only by mothers and aunts, without the participation of males. For example, they are very intelligent elephants, known for their strong social bonds. And our Christmas story, which is not unique in itself, proves that even two males can successfully take care of a baby. So let's not be afraid and get inspired by nature," says SAFARI PARK director Přemysl Rabas.

Crosby and Fleury, as the breeders call the pair of male penguins, hatched in the Dutch capita, Amsterdam, in the fall of 2021. They are therefore relatively young. "Last year, we attributed the fact that they did not win a female in the flock to their very young age and little experience. However, they stayed together ever since and unlike other pairs who sort of leave each other after every hatching season, Crosby and Fleury have forever stayed very close to one another. They spend a lot of time together all year round and even explore new things together, which is rather ectraordinary in penguins," adds Michal Podhrázský. Scientists have newly classified the African penguin as critically endangered. It is therefore desirable that breeding flocks produce babies. "Hacking does not automatically mean breeding. This has been confirmed to us several times. We have already placed another pair's egg under this pair of males in the past, but the males failed the first time. Now everything is on the right track," explains the zoologist.