The African Penguin was moved from the Vulnerable Species List to the Endangered Species List in 2010 due to their significant decline over the past century. In 1910 there were believed to have been 1.5 million penguins of this species. As of the year 2000 it was estimated that only 10% of this population still existed. This decline has to do with a number of factors, mainly the increase in competition for resources (including our fishing industry) and the global climate change.
Anyway, back to the story... Upon Pedro and Buddy's arrival zookeepers noticed that these two male penguins seemed particularly chummy, showing "courtship and mating behaviors" generally witnessed between male-female pairs. This behavior includes preening each other, protecting their territory, 'braying' (their mating call), and standing together away from the group. Everyday they swim with the group of 12 penguins, but every night they break off from the others to spend the evening alone. This behavior was described as same-sex 'pair-bonding'.
Unfortunately, because the species is so endangered the zoo is planning on splitting them up in order to encourage them to breed. I'm really curious to find out whether they will show any interest in female penguins when they are separated. I tried researching this type of behavior in other species of animal, but to be perfectly honest, the information became a bit too graphic for my taste.
Here is a brief video of the two love birds (no pun intended):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyob3yHVOgs
Research from:
http://www.questconnect.org/african_penguin_facts.htm
http://www.birdlife.org/community/2010/09/african-penguin-receives-u-s-endangered-species-act-protection/
http://www.treehugger.com/endangered-species/zoo-plans-split-same-sex-penguin-romance.html
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