Two 'gay' African penguins to be separated to preserve species

London, Nov 10 (ANI): Keepers at a Canada zoo have decided to split two male penguins amid fears they are gay.

Pedro, ten, and Buddy, 20, have formed a close bond since they were brought in May as part of a breeding programme.

But keepers are worried their fondness for each other will mean the endangered pair of African penguins fail to mate unless separated.

"The two girls have been following [Pedro and Buddy], we just have to get the boys interested in looking at them," the Sun quoted Tom Mason, spokesman for Toronto Zoo, Canada, as saying.

Tom added that if the penguins were not an endangered species the zoo would be happy to "let them do their thing."

They said Pedro and Buddy's separation would only last as long as they can inseminate their respective female partners.

The two will be allowed to be "side by side" again once they have eggs to incubate.

Director for Conservation Bill Rapley said that Pedro and Buddy will "probably" ditch their female partners when the mating season ends and reunite. (ANI)