Flipsonian National Zoo
Our new Animal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program will launch this year with our animals being exclusively from the LGBTQ+ community.
Our Zoo Diversification Program
Penguins
Giant Tortoise
Giant Tortoise
Welcome to our new same sex parent penguins Sphen and Magic and their new chick Sphengic!
Giant Tortoise
Giant Tortoise
Giant Tortoise
After it was discovered that the worlds oldest tortoise's mate no longer identified as female, we supported his transition and welcomed 192 year old Jonathan and his partner Fredrick to our Flipsonian family as they celebrate their 35th Anniversary!
Aviary
Giant Tortoise
Aviary
Our swans are exclusively Gay and Black. We also have gay Albatrosses, Blue ducks, Ibises, Mallards, Vultures, and Pigeons, , to enjoy in our Aviary and Lake complex. Flamingos were unexpectedly heterosexual and had to be moved to another zoo.
Safari
Dolphins
Aviary
Lions, Hyenas, Elephants, and Giraffes all will cuddle up to their same sex partner on the Safari, so don't worry we won't loose our main attractions due to this new diversity program! We did have to phase out the zebras and hippos and other animals that don't exhibit prosocial behavior.
Insects
Dolphins
Dolphins
Same-sex sexual behavior in at least 110 species of insects and arachnids so we still have quite an number of creepy crawlies to bug out with. Our dazzling dragonflies are especially known for their dramatics.
Dolphins
Dolphins
Dolphins
Dolphins are know for their playfulness but did you know that they are often have non-reproductive sex just for fun with heterosexual and homosexual play and sometime cross species play parties.
Bats
Reptile House
Primates
20 species of bats identify as LBGTQ+ and we have a large cavern structure for you to explore with the bats!
Primates
Reptile House
Primates
Our Primate House is thriving with our new diversity initiative, as all of the animals have come out as homosexual or bisexual after we created a safe workspace for them to be queer or questioning.
Reptile House
Reptile House
Reptile House
Our Whiptail Lizards and Gekos represent the asexual community as they don't need a mate and can reproduce through parthenogenesis.
Out and Proud Zoo Animals
Jonathan and Fredrik - A Love that Lasts
The oldest bisexual in the world, Jonathan the Seychelles giant tortoise, celebrated his 192nd birthday this year. With this new milestone, he also broke his own record as the oldest chelonian—a tortoise, turtle or terrapin—ever documented. He and his partner of 34 years Fredrick and Emma are local celebrities.
Though his exact age is unknown, Jonathan was fully grown when he was gifted to the St. Helena island’s governor from Seychelles in 1882, which experts said meant he was at least 50 years old, but experts say he’s likely even older. Seychelles giant tortoises (Aldabrachelys gigantea hololissa) have an average life expectancy of 150 years.
Another Seychelles tortoise, named Frederika, came to the island in 1991 as a gift from the French consul to the governor of St. Helena. Jonathan became quickly enamored of Frederika, and the two developed an intimate relationship. In 2017, Frederika was brought to the vet for a lesion on her shell. Upon closer inspection, the vet determined that Frederika was probably a male tortoise—which would explain the pair’s lack of offspring.
Jonathan now lives he lives on the manicured lawns of the official residence of the governor of St Helena happily with tortoises Frederik (renamed after the vet’s discovery), David and Emma.
“In spite of his age, Jonathan still has a good libido and is seen frequently to mate with Emma and sometimes Fred,” longtime veterinarian Joe Hollins tells tells Guinness World Records that Jonathan shows “no sign of slowing down.” “Animals are often not particularly gender-sensitive.”
Article paraphrased from - The World’s Oldest Living Land Animal, a Tortoise Named Jonathan, Turns 191- Margaret Osborne - Daily Correspondent Smithsonian Magazine December 7, 2023
Sphen and Magic - Penguin Parent Power Couple
Same sex gentoo penguin 'power couple’, Sphen and Magic began developing a strong bond in 2018 and became inseparable before breeding season. They were constantly seen waddling around and going for swims together in the Sydney Aquarium Penguin Expedition.
As breeding season fast approached, the couple started collecting ‘pebbles’ to create a nest in their spot, more pebbles than any other couple. Gentoo parents keep their eggs warm on pebble nesting rings scattered throughout the exhibit. Swapping duties daily, while one of the parents are doing their best to incubate the egg, the other is patrolling the perimeters of the nest, warding off any potential pebble thieves or over-inquisitive neighbors.
To ensure the couple were not excluded from the season, Magic and Sphen were given a dummy egg to allow them to practice incubating and develop their skills. They were absolute naturals and displayed great care for their egg, so much so, the team at Sea Life Sydney fostered a real egg to them from another couple who had two.
In October of 2018, the two successfully hatched baby Sphengic and welcomed their second chick Clancy in 2020! Tragically Sphen passed away in August of 2024. He was nearly twelve years old when he passed away. This is considered a long life for a gentoo penguin, who have an average life span of roughly twelve to thirteen years.
Sphen and Magic shared a bond unlike most other penguin couples – they could even be found together outside of the breeding season, which is unique for gentoo penguins. They are more than just a beautiful love story – their impact around the world as a symbol of equality is immeasurable.
Fundraising
New Species Outreach
In the future we would love to welcome Humpback Whales and Bison into our Flipsonian family but their special needs of large ocean or grasslands are cost prohibitive at this time.