MELBOURNE, Australia — Sphen, the older partner of a world-famous same-sex penguin pair celebrated in Australian school textbooks and at an annual parade promoting gay rights, has died aged 11, a Sydney aquarium said on Thursday.

Sphen and his male gentoo penguin partner Magic, now 8 years old, attracted international attention in 2018 when they built a nest out of pebbles together in the hope of raising chicks in their home at the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium.

International interest grew when they adopted and successfully raised two chicks in 2018 and 2020. Their union was celebrated with a float at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, included in the New South Wales state curriculum, and featured in the Netflix series “Atypical.” Their relationship has also been chronicled in books and film documentaries.

Penguin partners share parental duties, and same-sex couples in captivity have occasionally adopted eggs.

The aquarium said in a statement that Sphen died this month. It did not say when the penguin died, nor was the cause of death disclosed. The average life expectancy of the species is 12 to 13 years, the aquarium said.

Richard Dilly, executive director of the aquarium, described Sphen as an “icon” who has had a positive impact on the world through her unique relationship with Magic.

“Sphen and Magic’s love story has captivated the world and it was an honor to welcome local and international fans, some of whom traveled long distances to see it in real life,” said Dilly.

“Sphen and Magic had a bond that was different from most other penguin pairs. They could even be found together outside of the breeding season, which is unique for gentoo penguins,” added Dilly.

Zookeepers showed Magic his partner’s body to make it clear to him that they would not be together during the next mating season.

“The moment we showed him (Magic) Sphen, he started singing, and then the other penguins joined in and sang with him. So it was very touching,” said aquarium director Renee Howell.

“I don’t think there was a dry eye in the penguin enclosure at that moment,” Howell added.