Female comes between gay penguin pals

Pedro and Buddy, two male African penguins, formed a close bond since coming to the Toronto Zoo about a year ago. They shared a nest and even displaying signs of mating rituals. Their relationship made headlines and fueled jokes about "Brokeback Iceberg."

But because the survival of their species is no laughing matter (African penguins are endangered), the zoo announced that it would separate them and encourage them to make little penguins. And now it appears as if a female has come between one of Canada's celebrity couples.

The zoo said yesterday that Buddy and Pedro have been officially separated and Buddy has mated with a female. Pedro has yet to get lucky, but officials say it's not for lack of trying.

Curator Tom Mason described Pedro and Budd's bond as social — not sexual — and said that when the birds rejoin the general population, they are likely to stay with their female mates.

The story of the pair, who came to be known as Toronto's gay penguins, went viral online, leading to cheeky YouTube videos. Late-night TV comics jumped into the icy waters of penguin passion: Jimmy Kimmel riffed on the story during a recent monologue, claiming the lovebirds were spotted at a Lady Gaga concert.

Buddy, who is 21, had a female mate for 10 years and produced some offspring before his partner died. Pedro, 10, has yet to produce any offspring.

(Via Today)