SFs Bi Penguin Treated for Infection

A penguin at the San Francisco Zoo that has had relationships with both a male and a female partner has fallen ill.

Harry, a Magellanic penguin, has a respiratory infection, which zoo officials told the San Francisco Examiner can be life-threatening to birds. Two weeks ago, zookeepers noticed Harry's diminishing appetite and persistent cough. He was eventually diagnosed with aspergillosis.

The penguin made waves in 2003 when he and Pepper, a fellow male penguin, shacked up to raise an abandoned egg. However, in July, Harry left Pepper for Linda, a female. The three had a scuttle when Linda and Harry attacked Pepper, sending the single bird to a conservation center for the rest of the breeding season.

Linda is spending time with Harry as he recuperates from the infection.

"Penguins are such social animals and we don't want Harry feeling more stressed from being alone in addition to the stress of being sick," Harrison Edell, the zoo's bird curator, told the Examiner.