There is great sadness at the Sea Life Aquarium in Sydney, Australia. One of the most beloved animals of the employees and the public, the gentoo penguin Sphen (Sphen), died at the age of 12, leaving only his beloved penguin companion Magic (Magic).

Gentoo penguins live an average of 12 to 13 years and are famously romantic monogamists.

The elderly penguin’s health had deteriorated in recent days, and the aquarium’s veterinary team made the difficult decision earlier this month to euthanize Sphen, to end his pain and suffering.

Sphen and Magic fell in love and became a couple in 2018 and have been inseparable ever since – even adopting and raising two baby penguins.

Aquarium staff brought Magic, 8, to see Sphen’s body and help him understand and accept that his mate won’t be coming back.

Touching moments followed.

“Magic immediately started singing and the whole penguin colony followed him,” a staff member told the BBC.

Now, the whole team is now focusing on Magic, who “will soon be preparing for his first breeding season without Sphen,” said Richard Dilly, the aquarium’s director.